Veterans' charity urges people to seek support

Veterans' Growth offers one-to-one sessions and group work

A charity providing gardening therapy to improve mental health among ex-military personnel has urged more people to ask for support when needed.

Veterans' Growth, based in Hastings, said it had seen a recent rise in issues among the community due to difficulties accessing mental health services, as well as the impact of Covid.

Its CEO, Sarah Wilson, said people also struggled to come forward, but encouraged those in need of support to "please get in touch".

The call comes as NHS England has redesigned mental health support for veterans, following a survey that showed about 60% found it difficult to seek support.

The survey, of 3,000 veterans and serving personnel, also showed more than half (52%) of respondents said they had suffered with a mental health problem.

Veterans' Growth founder Jason Stevens, who served in the Army for 16 years, said the "biggest issue" was people not coming forward with issues.

"Help is there in many guises," he added.

Ms Wilson, said the charity had seen a rise in demand during recent years due to pressure on mental health services, as well as the impact of Covid lockdowns.

"No veteran should have to struggle alone, and we encourage anyone who would like support to please get in touch," she said.

Participants also take part in woodwork and painting sessions at the charity

But she added that when veterans did try to seek mental health help through "traditional" means, "a lot of the time, it's impossible to navigate the system".

NHS England said it had recently redesigned its own Op COURAGE service, which provides specialist support to veterans, to boost self-referrals.

"We appreciate that there can be barriers," said Dr Jonathan Leach, associate medical director for military and veterans health for NHS England.

But he added that self-referral could help to reduce them.

"We want to raise the profile of it so veterans don't suffer in silence," he said.