As of 13 October 18, Forty Seven Veterans have completed Suicide with all having a history of mental illness, predominantly Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD or at least poor mental health. Each suicide impacts on average 135 people.

Mental ill health is impacting us as a nation, but it is having an horrendous impact on the military, with Kings College London releasing new research that shows 1 in 4 military personnel who deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan are likely to suffer from PTSD. The impact this has on their Partners, children, relationships and eventually finances, is huge.

What if this could be minimised? What if possible signs and symptoms of mental ill health could be spotted earlier? What if they had the necessary tools and techniques to better manage their own lives, whilst awaiting professional support?

By providing necessary training, military personnel, veterans and their partners can learn more about mental health and illnesses, signs and symptoms, identify stressors within themselves and what healthy coping strategies work for them. So if we can train individuals to spot the signs and symptoms sooner, identify stressors within themselves and better manage their own lives, temporarily, then this would reduce the strain on the professional services even saving the NHS desperately needed finances! More importantly though, it can help to prevent someone reaching that stage where there is no way out and no other choice than Suicide, whilst empowering them to better manage their lives. This money will enable us to provide;

One x Mental Health First Aid MHFA course for up to 16 individuals, to become qualified mental health first aiders.

Two x Mind Wellbeing Ambassador courses, where up to 32 individuals can gain a better understanding of mental health, learn the signs and symptoms, how to actively listen, how to signpost people to relevant professional supports and promote self-awareness, self-care and self-help.