Scotland’s veterans benefit from specialist advice thanks to Life Force guide
Nominated category: Education and Training Award
Veterans with mental health problems often find it difficult to engage with community agencies, for several reasons, including stigma that is attached to military personnel, having lived within military regimes and then difficulties and negative experiences associated with the transition to civilian life. Community agencies often work with veterans, who tend to have a higher incidence level of mental health problems, but they have no specialist advice on the issues faced by veterans or the difficulties they may have experienced.
The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) developed the ‘Life-Force’ guide to help mental health and community professionals engage more effectively with veterans who suffer mental health problems. The guide provides a practical understanding of how best to identify and work with veterans and their families as well as signposting information to make sure the appropriate support is identified and utilised.
The initial structure of the guide was drawn from unique accounts of Veteran’s experiences, which were then analysed and backed up by a review of relevant literature from the past 10 years. This gave value to veteran’s real and often traumatic experiences. Many other organisations were also consulted and involved throughout the process of writing, including the Medical Assessment Programme and Citizen’s Advice Bureau, who helped add validity to the guide.
The biggest challenge faced by the team putting the guide together was gaining the trust of the veterans. The SAMH anticipated that because the charity had no specialist military knowledge, Veterans might approach with suspicion. To help this, Malcolm Luing (former Military Social Worker) was recruited; his wealth of knowledge and contacts facilitated positive communication with individual Veterans and agencies.
From an early stage the project team had to recognise that there are unique differences which many Veterans have encountered, which sets them apart from the rest of our communities. Examples such as experiences of war and violence, the reliance on comradeship in times of difficulty and a military regime which controls day to day life, all affect coping mechanisms and susceptibility to mental health problems.
According to Charlie McMillan, Director of Research Influence and Change for the SAMH: “This helped to develop, at the very least, an awareness and understanding of how this affects Veterans in our society and facilitated relationship building in progressing the project.”