The service offers free advice and is open to all current or former members of the UK volunteer and regular reserves who have been demobilised since 1 January 2003, following operational deployment overseas as a reservist and who believe that their deployment may have affected their mental health. Certain mental health ailments will prevent your enlistment in the British Army. British Army (2008) The Aitken Report: An Investigation into Cases of Deliberate Abuse and Unlawful Killing in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. The mental health and wellbeing of service personnel, whether regulars or reservists, their families and veterans is a priority for the government. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. If your local medical officer is unavailable and you are in England, Scotland or Wales contact your local NHS accident and emergency (A&E) unit. Personality Disorders. 15 July 2010. Being in the Army can be challenging both physically and mentally. Chronic abdominal diseases like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Mental health stigma in the military is strongly grounded in military culture and is linked to a desire to handle problems on one’s own. It must be noted that to ensure a continuation of care, individuals are still able to access defence mental health services up to 6 months after discharge. In the UK, mental health services work alongside community-based mental health services, to ensure they follow national best practice guidelines. Reduction of corrected vision in one eye below army entry standards. Food allergy requiring you to avoid some foods in your diet due to allergy or intolerance (not because you don't like it!). Support for war veterans: the Veterans and Reserves Mental Health programme, Medical and Dental Officer bonus scheme guidance, Medical and Dental Officer directed letter, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases, if currently mobilised, then follow the advice provided above for serving personnel, Combat Stress/Rethink offer a 24 hour freephone helpline if you have concerns about your mental health: Freephone: 0800 138 1619. You will be required to undergo further blood tests for blood grouping and blood screening which are necessary for specific military operational requirements; and undergo immunisations as required by ADF protocols. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services. your first point of call should be your chain of command, unit medical officer, welfare officer or chaplain if you are in the UK or overseas. You will undergo a fitness test which must be passed in order to be admitted. Most British military personnel do not experience mental health problems while they are in service, or afterwards in civilian life. We have implemented many new interventions including deploying expert mental health professionals to the front line and ensuring that briefing on the support available, assessment and treatment (if required) is offered to every serviceman and woman both before and after deployment. If you’re looking to join as a soldier, you’ll go through a range of strength and stamina tests, as well as a run. Mental health overall . All units are supported by non-medical personal that are able to signpost to the relevant service. Symptomatic or medication-suppressed abnormal heart rhythms. In July 2012 the British Army opened its doors to clinical psychologists becoming commissioned officers. Care is offered at 15 military Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) across the UK (and smaller centres abroad), which provide outpatient mental health … Some medical conditions requiring long-term medication or replacement therapy. In general, there is no clear evidence that mental health in the Armed Forces is substantially . Only 3 to 4% of personnel are medically discharged as a result of a mental health problem. Multiple sclerosis. A wide range of psychiatric and psychological treatments are available, including medication, psychological therapies, social support and a change of environment where appropriate. They provide emotional support, a listening ear and signposting service, TogetherAll provides safe, anonymous support to anyone struggling with a range of common mental health issues, or who feels burdened by everyday worries and concerns. More information on the service available veterans and an easy to use service locator tool can be found on NHS Choices. This is nothing to worry about. If members of our armed forces community feel they have been disadvantaged accessing public services these leaflets will help to identify where to go to address the problem. 2. Mental healthcare is a multi-agency delivery effort and the MOD and UK Department of Health are working with the NHS and service charities, including Combat Stress, to promote awareness of veterans’ and service family issues. The Nation’s Commitment: what does the Covenant mean for you? It is free for all serving personnel (including mobilised and non-mobilised reservists), veterans, and their families and is available 24/7 at, use the appropriate contacts set out above. The medical team assess everyone individually, and make their decisions based on their professional opinion in keeping with prescribed army standards. If there is any major “corporation” that understands the consequences and difficulties of mental health, it’s the military. 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