A new mental health service for armed forces veterans in the north of England is being rolled out from this month.
The Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (VMH CTS) is for former forces personnel diagnosed with complex mental illness. Many will have been affected by trauma, and all will be facing challenges as a direct result of their military service.
The new service will offer trauma-focused therapies and other support to veterans, including help with substance misuse, physical health, employment, accommodation, relationships and finances.
It is provided by Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, Combat Stress.
It builds on the NHS Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (VMH TILS) which launched a year ago, and provides the first intervention for veterans with a mental health need.
Referrals into the new Complex Treatment Service will be via the Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service. In the north, this is provided by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
Read more about the new Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service here.