Call to Mind: Wales

Abstract: This report provides the findings from a review of the mental and related health needs of veterans and family members in Wales. A lot of good work has been developed in Wales in recent years to better meet the mental and related health needs of veterans and their family members. Some of the service models that have been established in Wales are unique in the UK and there is much that can be learnt from these by commissioners, policy makers and service providers in the rest of the UK. There is good evidence in Wales of some effective multi-agency partnership working and a number of improvements have been made in data collection, support during transition to civilian life and work within the criminal justice system. There are also some examples of excellent and innovative work that involves the service community working together with a range of statutory and voluntary sector organisations. The report highlights opportunities for further work and progress to be made and the identification of the need for even greater involvement, liaison and action at the point of serving and /or transition is particularly welcomed. As indeed is the proposal to ensure that veterans’ and family members’ mental and related health needs are considered in new legislation coming into force in Wales such as the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) and Wellbeing of Future Generations Acts, to be implemented by 2017.