Combat Stress

As part of their ongoing support, the Army Benevolent Fund has awarded Combat Stress a £275,000 grant to help deliver life-changing mental health services to Army veterans. This funding comes at a vital time, as demand continues to grow. Last year alone, nearly 12,500 veterans benefited from our specialist support, over 8,200 called the Combat Stress 24-hour Helpline, more than 2,700 accessed online self-help resources, and almost 1,500 directly received support from specialist staff. Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, said: “We’re extremely grateful to the Army Benevolent Fund for continuing to support us, and the Army veterans we treat, with this generous grant. Their support is vital in allowing us to continue to be there for those who turn to us in their hour of need.”

Our response to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee report on the inconsistent implementation in the UK of the Armed Forces Covenant:

A traumatic experience during the first Gulf War left Army veteran Guy with serious mental health issues. He became angry, started drinking heavily and wanted to end it all. Knowing he needed help, Guy called our Helpline and received our life-changing treatment. Today Guy has a new lease of life and is a steadfast Combat Stress supporter, helping us in a wide variety of ways. In recognition of his unwavering support, last year he was named our Veteran Volunteer of the Year for everything he does to give back to the charity. “I can’t sugarcoat it,” he says. “If it wasn’t for Combat Stress, I’m not sure I’d still be here.” You can read more about how Guy turned his life around here: https://ow.ly/3f4W50Vuz6L

📢 Groundbreaking new research will seek to understand the long-term psychosocial and sexual experiences of ex-Service personnel and their partners affected by conflict-related genital injuries. Evidence shows that men place a high value on their sexual and reproductive capacity, that there is a strong relationship between their genitals and their sense of identity and genital changes can be psychologically distressing, requiring support long after an initial diagnosis or injury. Additionally, there is an abundance of evidence that demonstrates the crucial role of romantic and intimate relationships for our overall well-being. However, the impact of conflict-related genital injuries on Service personnel has so far been seemingly overlooked and requires focused attention. The AFTER Study (Armed Forces genital Trauma and psychosexual Experiences Research) seeks to address this gap by generating evidence to inform our understanding of the impacts of conflict-related genital injury, what is associated with different outcomes and experiences, and how can those affected can be better supported. 📰 Learn more about the AFTER study directly from interviews with the study team! Read our New Study Spotlight here 🔗 : https://lnkd.in/ekKu2Sz6 The project will be co-led by Dr Mary Keeling from RAND Europe, Dr Natalie Hammond from The Manchester Metropolitan University, and Professor Nicola Fear from the King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, and in collaboration with Professor Dominic Murphy from Combat Stress. It is funded by The Scar Free Foundation via the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Study Spotlight articles feature interviews with researchers outlining their new studies, to raise awareness of exciting current research focused on the Armed Forces community. Interested in featuring your upcoming or new project in a New Study Spotlight? Get in touch with us at team@fimt-rc.org #research #news #armedforces #army #navy #airforce #veteran

As part of the new Thrive Together programme, Combat Stress has created direct referral routes with partner organisations - both to and from us - enabling more effective support for multiple needs to be met at the same time. Over the next 18 months, we’ll receive £93,508 from DMWS to help build sustainable and resilient networks that ensure veterans and their families receive prompt, effective and tailored support. Taking place from 2024-2027, Thrive Together is the ambitious second phase of the Veterans’ Places, Pathways and People (VPPP) Programme (https://ow.ly/fuCT50Vt2vW), and is set to enhance support for veterans and their families across the UK.

Last week, two brilliant teams laced up their walking boots and took on #MarchinMarch - a huge round of applause to the Chelsea Pensioners, and our corporate partner Unum! Team Unum tackled 10 miles, setting off from Tyrwhitt House and finishing at their offices in Dorking. Meanwhile, the Chelsea Pensioners began their challenge at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and finished at Tower Bridge. We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone from both teams for going the distance for our charity, and walking and talking for veterans' mental health! #FundraisingChallenge #GivingBack #CorporatePartners

Whether you’re a business interested in supporting our work or an organisation already partnered with us, sign up to our monthly corporate e-news to keep up to date with our latest corporate news and updates. 📢 In this month's edition: ✅ How you can get involved in PTSD Awareness Day ✅ Profiling our London Marathon runners 🏃♂️ ✅ How to increase your organisation’s social value through our corporate partnerships. ✅ An exclusive Corgi socks discount code 🧦 ✅ Key dates for your diary 📩 Don’t miss out – sign up now: https://lnkd.in/ez-Xfmhq #CorporateGiving #VeteransMentalHealth

Combat Stress and research partners are looking for men who have served in the UK Armed Forces to take part in a study exploring how former service personnel cope with challenging and stressful experiences. We’re inviting any man who has served to take part by first completing an online questionnaire and then an online one-to-one interview.  The aim is to better inform support services and programmes how to build on veterans’ unique skillsets. For more information and to take part: https://lnkd.in/exD-sxA6

“The extensive effects of genital injuries reach far beyond the physical. The AFTER study will pave the way to support #Veterans through the psychological care they need, and the fulfilling life after service they deserve"    As conflict-related #GenitalInjury continues to increase, the psychological support available remains limited. But now, thanks to a transformational grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, researchers will begin the UK’s first large-scale study on the psychological impact of conflict-related genital injuries.    Working with Veterans and their partners, researchers at RAND Europe, The Manchester Metropolitan University, and King's College London, in collaboration with Combat Stress, will create new interventions to support those affected by genital injury, which address the psychological, social, and sexual impacts of intimate wounds.     Read more here: https://buff.ly/0u8X2bS   #MedicalResearch #MedicalResearchCharity #Veterans #ArmedForces #ResearchGrant #PsychologicalSupport #MentalHealth 

We’re proud to be joining the first large-scale study on the psychological and social impact of conflict-related genital injuries. The research, commissioned by The Scar Free Foundation, will address critical gaps in care and develop specialist support for affected military personnel, veterans and their partners. Professor Dominic Murphy, Head of Research at Combat Stress, said: “As the veterans’ mental health charity, Combat Stress’ role in this study will be to provide clinical support to help with the development of psychological treatment for those with conflict-related genital injuries. “It is vital that we understand the psychological impact experienced by those with genital injuries, and the wider impact on their identity and relationships, so that the appropriate support can be put in place to meet their needs.” Read more: https://ow.ly/AJe750VpzeZ