Mental health training to be offered to military veterans

The government is to support military veterans suffering from mental health problems with a new nationwide training programme.

Up to 6,400 ex-soldiers, sailors and airmen and their families will be offered an opportunity to attend a course to teach the mental health equivalent of first aid skills.

They will receive training on how to spot early signs of mental health problems and will be empowered to help others who are experiencing issues or even to prevent someone from hurting themselves or others.

Around 200 people will be engaged in this programme over the next 18 months, who will then go on to support around 6,200 members of the Armed Forces community by the summer of 2015.

Health minister Dr Dan Poulter said: "Training veterans and their families to spot the signs that someone is suffering from mental health problems is a vital first step in them getting the help they need and talking openly about their experiences."

Last summer, the government published a new framework for improving mental health and wellbeing across the UK, as part of efforts to ensure that greater focus is being placed on this essential aspect of healthcare.