Earlier this year, Theo Clarke MP for Stafford raised the importance of supporting veterans’ mental health with the Prime Minister during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons. Ms Clarke, therefore, welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement that Armed Forces charities will receive £5 million in additional funding to support those who have served, including those who may be struggling following recent events in Afghanistan. The additional funding will be allocated to a range of projects that will increase capacity in mental health charities, improve veterans’ understanding of the support available and deliver enhanced social support. The Office for Veterans’ Affairs will allocate the funding over the coming months.
The £5 million boost will also help increase the user friendliness and accessibility of services, better signposting veterans to the range of state and charitable services available to them. This will help to make mental health services even more accessible to the Afghanistan veteran cohort. Through the Stafford Mental Health Network which Ms Clarke founded with the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Ms Clarke is working with MOD Stafford to support those serving in the Armed Forces and veterans with their mental health.
