Armed Force Veterans are estimated to make up 5% of the UK population and suffer significantly higher prevalences of mental ill health. The commonest disorders noted in a British primary care study were depression at 18%, followed by alcohol misuse at 17%, anxiety 15%, and post-traumatic stress disorder 3%. Levels were higher in women and in those with combat experience (see Resources and Links for reference).
NHS Lothian provides a one stop shop for all Veterans’ mental health and wellbeing needs at Veterans F1rst Point.
Veterans First Point also has a network across Scotland based in Tayside, Fife, Borders, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran. Further information can be found on the V1P website www.veteransfirstpoint.org.uk
The RCGP offers a Veterans’ healthcare toolkit and practices can gain accreditation as veteran friendly.
C.M 09-01-24
Veterans’ healthcare toolkit – includes details of becoming accredited as a veteran friendly practice.
Prevalence of common mental health disorders in military veterans: using primary healthcare data.
