Abstract: This report provides the first UK-wide summary of common issues in meeting the mental and related health and social care needs of veterans and their family members. The report is based on the findings from four reviews of these needs, which took place between 2015 and 2017: Call to Mind: England - completed October 2015; Call to Mind: Wales - completed May 2016; Call to Mind: Scotland - completed September 2016; Call to Mind: Northern Ireland - completed May 2017 Commissioned by Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), these reviews sought to identify how the mental and related health and social care needs of veterans and their family members were being identified and addressed, and in particular, how service responses to meet these needs might be improved. Each review involved a detailed examination of core documentation relating to strategy and planning of services, including the processes and systems by which mental health and related health and social care needs of veterans and families might be assessed. A total of 212 individual respondents contributed to the reviews through interviews and focus groups, including 75 veterans and family members.
While most individuals achieve the transition to civilian life smoothly, some face significant challenges. Although numerous support services are available to those who need them, …