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New research by Combat Stress, the leading mental health charity for Veterans, has revealed that ex-Service personnel would have better employment prospects if businesses understood their mental health needs and how to access specialist support.* 

Over half (54%) of UK businesses polled agreed there is a reluctance among UK businesses to hire Veterans due to fears they may suffer from psychological injuries, yet four-in-five (84%) recognised that experience in the Forces could offer valuable skills to a business environment. Three quarters (75%) agreed that UK businesses would hire more Veterans if they had expert advice on how to understand and support them in the workplace, with the same proportion (75%) agreeing that UK businesses don't know enough about external support available to Veterans with psychological injuries in the workplace.

Research conducted exclusively for The Military Mind event by Combat Stress shows that among UK business decision-makers:

• Three quarters (75%) agree that UK businesses don't know enough about external support available to Veterans with psychological injuries in the workplace
• Three quarters (75%) say that UK businesses would hire more veterans if they had expert advice on how to understand and support them in the workplace
• Nearly three quarters (72%) agree that UK businesses should have specific HR policies in place to provide advice and support to Veterans in the workplace (for example, advice on accessing specialist psychological support)
• More than two thirds (68%) agree that UK businesses have a responsibility to know whether any members of their workforce are veterans or reservists
   

To address this lack of awareness and understanding, Combat Stress has convened the first ever business symposium on ‘The Military Mind’**, highlighting the specialist support readily available to Veterans and Reservists in the workplace. On 26 March in London, experts from the Department of Health, the Ministry of Defence and the corporate sector are joining with clinical specialists from Combat Stress to explain the opportunities, options and challenges for business with employees who have served in the Armed Forces. Formed in 1919, Combat Stress has over 95 years’ experience in military mental health, and will film and livestream key sessions to share its expertise with the corporate sector.

Anna Soubry, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, said:

“While the vast majority of service leavers make a successful transition to civilian life, we know there is a minority who require support, which is why the government has a wide range of support schemes in place.”

“I commend this Combat Stress initiative which will provide expert advice to employers on the mental health support available to Veterans and Reservists in their workforce. It will be of benefit to both employers and their employees. I also applaud the hundreds of businesses that have signed up to the Covenant - after this Government enshrined it into law - to help to ensure all members of the Armed Forces community receive the support and recognition they deserve.”

Dr Walter Busuttil, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director, Combat Stress, comments:

“Veterans and Reservists have a wealth of skills they can bring to a business environment, but worryingly despite recognising this, too many companies are reluctant to hire Veterans due to fears around their mental health.

“We are heartened that most businesses do want expert advice and, together with our corporate partners and Government colleagues, we are putting an end to the stigma and discrimination affecting Veterans. We’ll explain the context, challenges and support systems in place – its essential information for Corporate Covenant signatories.”

The symposium this week brings together HR Directors, Managers and Occupational Health Practitioners from companies – especially those who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant – to share best practice in supporting ex-Service employees. Employers will gain expert guidance on the various specialist treatment options available, how Veterans and Reservists can access them, and the level of employer support the individual will require during their treatment.

Presentations from The Military Mind symposium, further information and resources will be available on a dedicated .

Comments Col. Stuart Tootal, Head of Physical Security at Barclays and Head of the Barclays AFTER programme:

“At Barclays we recognise the outstanding skill sets, experience and values that individuals who have served in the Armed Forces bring to an organisation. We also recognise that making the transition into civilian employment can be daunting. In response, we’ve developed the Barclays Armed Forces Transition, Employment & Resettlement (AFTER) Programme which, since inception in 2010, has supported over 3,000 service personnel in their transition into civilian life.

“Veterans may particularly need support if the sacrifices they made in service to our country lead them to experience a mental illness in later life. And so Barclays is working hard to ensure we are well equipped to support colleagues in their time of mental health need.

“We are honoured to support Combat Stress’ Military Mind Symposium and to share the experiences of the Barclays AFTER programme with other employers so that many more can work with us to support our veterans."

Following recent changes to the composition of the British Armed Forces, an increasing number of former Service personnel are entering civilian employment. At the same time the military is increasing the number of Reservists in all branches of the Armed Forces. With many UK businesses actively recruiting Veterans and Reservists in order to benefit from their unique skills and experience, this must-attend event will ensure companies are equipped to best support ex-Services’ employees through potential future health issues.

Commenting on the event, which would not be possible without the sponsorship of Thales UK, Mike Seabrook, Company Secretary at Thales UK said:

“Our continuing sponsorship of Combat Stress is part of our commitment to support our Armed Services, reservists and ex-servicemen and women. We are proud to be sponsoring this unique and much needed Military Mind Symposium that will address the mental health issues that employers could find they come up against from those transitioning from Military to Civilian roles and provide valuable insight in how to deal with them”.

ENDS

Notes to editors:
For further press information please contact the Combat Stress press office on 01372 587165, email nicola.hudson@combatstress.org.uk.   Media representatives should contact the press office before planning to attend the event.

*ComRes Polling
ComRes interviewed 500 UK business decision makers by telephone between the 2nd and 12th March 2015. Data were weighted to be representative of all UK businesses with a turnover of £50,000+ by company size, sector and region. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full data tables are available at www.ComRes.co.uk

**The Military Mind Symposium
Thursday 26 March 2015, 10:00 – 1630 at the Wellcome Collection, London

www.combatstress.org.uk/themilitarymind for full programme and registration details.

Sponsored by Thales, the event is free to pre-registered delegates.

Speakers include:

• Professor Sir Simon Wessely, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Dr. Walter Busuttil, Consultant Psychiatrist & Director of Medical Services, Combat Stress
• Kevin Gartside, Armed Forces Transition, Employment & Resettlement (AFTER) Programme Manager at Barclays
• Dave Rutter, Head of Armed Forces and Veterans’ Health Policy Team, Department of Health
• Surgeon Captain John Sharpley, Consultant Psychiatrist & Tri Service Consultant Adviser in Military Psychiatry, Ministry of Defence
• Diane Palmer, North Essex Veterans Mental Health Network
   

Combat Stress
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading mental health charity for Veterans. Founded in 1919, we have since supported more than 100,000 Veterans. Our work is as vital today as it was after the First World War.

Combat Stress is currently helping more than 5,600 ex-Service men and women - more than at any time in our long history. This includes 945 Veterans who served in Afghanistan and 1,160 who served in Iraq. Our youngest Veteran is just 18 years old. Demand for our services is rising: 1,834 Veterans contacted us for help in 2013-2014.  On average it takes more than 13 years from Service discharge for Veterans to contact Combat Stress for help, by which time their condition is often highly complex.  We treat conditions including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. To help Veterans rebuild their lives, we provide a range of free services:

• Short-stay clinical treatment at one of our treatment centres in Ayrshire, Shropshire and Surrey
• A specialist PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme – run at our three treatment centres
• Outpatients – Assessment by psychiatrists and psychologists enables us to diagnose, define and deliver the treatment Veterans require
• Occupational Therapy – Using meaningful and creative activity to encourage hope, wellbeing and recovery
• Community and Outreach – a UK-wide network of Community and Outreach Teams providing treatment and practical support to Veterans and their families in their own home
• Reserve Forces Liaison Team – working directly with Reservists and military staff, raising awareness of mental health issues in the Reserve Forces
• A 24-hour Helpline for Veterans, serving personnel and families: 0800 138 1619
   

Useful links
Website: www.combatstress.org.uk

Twitter: @CombatStress

Facebook: /CombatStress

Combat Stress, also known as the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, Registered Charity 206002; Registered Charity in Scotland SCO38828; Company Ltd by guarantee: 256353.