First All-Wales Community Mental Health Service

The first all-Wales community mental health service for veterans has been set up. The typical veteran referred to the community veterans mental health service is in his 40s and has served in Northern Ireland. He may also have seen active service in the Falklands or in Bosnia and Kosovo.

He’s had several broken relationships and has fathered a few children. He may have been homeless for a while, has problems holding down a job. He has debts and is struggling with some form of substance misuse or dependence – most likely alcohol – and common mental health problems.

This brief description is typical of the background of the people referred to the Cardiff-based service over the last two years since the city was chosen as one of six locations for a pilot project. It is also typical of what the veterans’ therapists will see in each of Wales’ seven local health board areas as the all-Wales service is developed.

But it by no means describes every one of the 200-plus referrals the service has seen since 2008 – a small number of the veterans have been women. And while some will be suffering from mental health problems, which directly relate to their experiences of active service and conflict, many will be seeking help for common problems, including anxiety and depression.

More information about the service is available at http://www.veterans-mhs-cvct.org/. Veterans can also self refer to the service from the website.