Mental health service launched for local ex-service personnel
A NEW psychological support service has been launched by the Royal British Legion’s Guernsey branch to help ex-service personnel who may be facing mental health difficulties.
For each person wishing to use the service, the RBL will fund up to four sessions with a psychologist.
‘It’s really hard for people to take up an offer for support but we’re hoping it will be helpful for individuals,’ said RBL
welfare team chairwoman Marlene Place.
‘From receiving the referral form, the psychologist will see someone within two weeks. It’s an exciting initiative.’
A pilot study was conducted over the summer to improve mental health support for the needs of ex-services personnel in Guernsey.
Pete Saunders, who served in Iraq in the early 2000s as a member of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, thought the study had been a good opportunity.
‘It was great for me – I got to talk about everything, how it happened and how we’re going to make this [mental health services] better.’
He said mental fitness among people returning to cilivian life from the armed forces was important. ‘It’s very much “I’m going to be okay” – there are things telling you to be strong and the type of person who doesn’t need help,’ he said.
‘It’s not that you're broken. Moving from military life to civilian life is very different, so if you are able to talk to someone who can help, and process what’s going on, that’s always going to be a good thing.’
Future generations would also be helped by these initiatives, he added.
‘Not everyone needs this kind of service but we’re giving this opportunity of people need it.
‘Anyone who leaves the armed forces is seen as potentially broken when actually there is a huge amount of post-traumatic growth which can be made.’
Mrs Place said once someone calls in, their armed service status will be verified and the psychologist will contact them.
‘The RBL steps away, so it’s all between the individual and the psychologist,’ she said.
‘I think that’s quite an important thing in somewhere like Guernsey.’
Other welfare initiatives are also in place, including a combat stress peer support group, armed forces-specific mental health first aid, and monthly breakfasts at Les Rocquettes Hotel for ex-service personnel and their families.
‘There are usually 60 to 70 people who attend the breakfasts and the atmosphere provides some comradeship and interaction,’ Mrs Place said.
Mr Saunders added: ‘There are different angles as well – certain people gravitate towards different things but it’s all tools to help everyone coming back, to help with the transition or if they are struggling with certain things.
‘We’re trying to break down the stigma of using services like this.’
RBL central committee vice-chairman Ben Rowe said even if they helped one person, the initiative was worth it.
‘If we can help one person that’s fantastic, if we can help 100 – amazing.’
Some ex-services personnel may have seen things nobody should have to, he said.
‘If there’s anyone out there who needs to speak to someone, you don’t need to suffer in silence and you don’t need to be alone – we are here for you.’
The RBL Guernsey Psychology Support Service is not an emergency service. To access this service or for more information, call 07781 131389 between 7.30am and 7.30pm.
