Call to Mind: United Kingdom

Abstract: Call to Mind: United Kingdom outlines the commitment and the positive work that has been developed over many years by the UK Government, the devolved Governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, amongst statutory and voluntary services (including the armed forces charitable sector), and by veterans and family members themselves who work as champions and advocates across the UK. The report summarises the best available research and evidence on mental and related health and social care needs of veterans, and highlights areas of good practice within each of the nations. The opportunities for further development outlined in this report have come from the respondents who took part in the reviews, including those working directly with veterans and from veterans and family members themselves. There was a particular emphasis on the importance of ensuring a strong strategic focus on identifying and assessing the mental and related health and social care needs of veterans and family members at national and local levels, in order to target and make the best use of existing resources to meet the needs of veterans and their families. We welcome this report and believe it will make an essential contribution in enabling policy makers, service planners and service providers across the UK to continue to build on their achievements, to improve practice, and to improve the mental health and wellbeing for veterans and family members.