Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support networks are available for (a) armed services personnel and (b) veterans who experience mental ill health.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is absolutely committed to ensuring that both serving personnel and veterans are given the mental health treatment and support they need. We do this by working in close partnership with a variety of different organisations, including the NHS (which is responsible for the provision of healthcare, including mental healthcare, for veterans) and Service charities such as Combat Stress.

All three Services provide regular briefings on mental health issues, ranging from ways to maintain good mental health to recognising the signs of ill health and what to do if personnel have any concerns. To back up the extensive range of treatments that are provided, a wide range of associated support networks are also available for both personnel and their families, including welfare officers, padres, regimental organisations, online resources such as the 'Big White Wall', and various helplines that are available 24 hours a day.

We have also been looking at ways to develop innovative new partnerships with charities, such as that announced in October 2017 with the Royal Foundation, aimed at helping maintain and develop good mental fitness. Furthermore, in February the Secretary of State announced that we have built on our existing partnership with Combat Stress to provide a new MOD-funded Military Mental Health Helpline for serving personnel and their families, providing out-of-hours advice and assistance and running in conjunction with the charity's existing helpline for the veterans' community.

Personnel leaving the Armed Forces who have had mental health issues during their Service are able to access services at their nearest MOD Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) for up to six months after discharge, to help them during the transition period. A Veterans' Transition Protocol ensures any Service person discharged with a diagnosed mental health disorder is handed over appropriately to the NHS in England. Where a Service person is leaving the Armed Forces but has enduring need for mental healthcare, we work in partnership with NHS England through the Veterans Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (VMH-TILS), to ensure continuity of care.

Service leavers receive a Service Leavers' Pack (compiled by Veterans UK) which contains information on support provision from charities such as the Royal British Legion and Soldiers', Sailors, Airmen and Families Association. These organisations have the facility to signpost to relevant mental health support agencies as required. Since October 2010, the Veterans' Information Service has contacted Service leavers by email or post 12 months after discharge to remind them of the range of mental health and other support available in the community. This includes the original Combat Stress 24-hour mental health helpline for veterans and their families, and the Veterans UK Veterans Welfare Service, which provides a national network of Welfare Managers to provide help and advice Service to veterans, their families and dependants.

The Veterans' Gateway (VG) also provides a single point of contact for veterans and their families to get the right information, advice and support, either through one telephone number or the fully transactional website. Their cases are owned by trained welfare officers, many of whom are veterans, and directed to relevant specialist organisations for assistance.