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Military veterans’ experiences of NHS mental health services

Edward Fraser (Healthwatch Norfolk, Norwich, England)

Journal of Public Mental Health

ISSN: 1746-5729

Article publication date: 20 March 2017

438

Abstract

Purpose

A significant minority of veterans have poor mental health outcomes but their needs are not always well managed by the NHS. The purpose of this paper is to explore veterans’ experiences of NHS mental healthcare in Norfolk and Suffolk to identify ways of improving services.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with 30 veterans. Template analysis was undertaken to explore key themes in the interview transcripts.

Findings

Participants were reluctant to seek help but were more likely to engage with a veteran-specific service. Those whose symptoms were military related reported better experiences when accessing treatment that was military sensitive.

Research limitations/implications

This was a local study and the findings do not necessarily reflect the views of the wider veteran community. Most participants who received military sensitive treatment were referred to the study by NHS providers, which could account for their positive feedback.

Social implications

The development of dedicated mental health services may encourage more veterans to seek support, helping to improve patient outcomes. There is a need for further research to determine the effectiveness of dedicated services and identify how they should be deployed.

Originality/value

Where academic interest has generally centred on the aetiology of mental health conditions within the military, this study focussed upon service user experience. The findings contributed to NHS England’s recent decision to extend its network of dedicated services in 12 areas of the country to cover veterans across England from April 2017.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the organisations who worked tirelessly on behalf of Healthwatch Norfolk to recruit participants to this study, and to the participants themselves for their courage and contributions. Thanks also to the members of the Healthwatch Norfolk Veterans Project Steering Group for their guidance and support.

Citation

Fraser, E. (2017), "Military veterans’ experiences of NHS mental health services", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 21-27. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-06-2016-0028

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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