PTSD In Military Personnel and Veterans in the UK

Sometimes serving military personnel, veterans and reservists may experience symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), either during their service or after leaving the military. 

If you feel like you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and there are specific mental health resources to help the British Armed Forces, veterans and reservists. 

How Common is PTSD in UK Military Personnel and Veterans?

Studies between 2020 - 2021* by the MOD Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) suggest that 1 in 1,000 of serving British Armed Forces personnel suffered from PTSD.

The same study suggests that rates of PTSD were higher in military serving personnel who had previously been deployed in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, than those not deployed in the Middle East.

Symptoms of PTSD in Military Personnel, Veterans and Reservists

Symptoms and the intensity of PTSD can vary from person to person. If you feel you or somebody else you know may be experiencing PTSD, these are some of the most common symptoms to be aware of. You may find you experience only a few, none, or all of these symptoms.

Reliving or re-experiencing post-traumatic events

• Vivid flashbacks of a traumatic event(s)
• Nightmares
• Unwanted, intrusive thoughts
• Physical sensations, such as pain, sweating, feeling sick or trembling
• Distressing thoughts which may inclusive specific events or reminders of a previous trauma

Alertness, anxiety or lack of sleep

• Feeling tense, ‘jittery’, or hypervigilant 
• Extreme alertness
• Panic attacks
• Difficulty concentrating – including everyday tasks and pastimes such as watching the TV or reading a book
• Disturbed sleep or difficulty in falling asleep 
• Difficulty in tolerating loud or certain noises

Change in mood 

• Becoming easily upset or angry 
• Feeling like nowhere is safe
• Lack of trust in anyone
• Overwhelming feelings of sadness, anxiety, fear, guilt or shame 
• Feeling like nobody understands your experiences or feelings

Avoiding thoughts, memories or feelings

• Avoiding certain locations, objects or situations
• Feeling that you need to keep occupied to avoid intrusive thoughts
• Feeling emotionally and/or physically numb or detached from your body and/or emotions 
• Being unable to express affection 
• Doing things that could be considered reckless or self-destructive, such as partaking in addictive behaviour which could include gambling or excessive drinking

Mental Health Support for UK Military Personnel and Veterans

If you feel like you are struggling with your mental health, there are a number of resources and helplines available to serving military personnel, veterans and reservists. 

• Op COURAGE is a NHS mental and wellbeing service specific to UK veterans and their families. The service can provide support, advice and help you find access to NHS talking therapies. 
• Combat Stress offers a 24-hour helpline on 0800 138 1619. Serving personnel and their families can also call 0800 323 4444. Alternatively, text 07537 173683 or email helpline@combatstress.org.uk if you’re concerned about your mental health. Please note that this is not a crisis helpline. 
• NHS 111 offers a 24-hour helpline to access medical help, but when it’s not a 999 emergency. To access information from the NHS on conditions, treatments, local services and healthy living head to NHS Choices.
• Call the Samaritans freephone on 116 123 ROI 1850 609090 (available 24/7) or email jo@samaritans.org to access confidential emotional support if you’re experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
• The Veterans' Gateway service covers welfare needs specifically for veterans and their families. Call Veterans Gateway on 0808 802 1212 or text 81212 for mental health advice. 
• Forcesline telephone helpline offers useful information for military personnel and can signpost you to additional help. Call 0800 7314880 (Monday – Friday 10.30 – 19.30). Alternatively you can use their live chat function or email using the Forcesline website contact form. 
• Togetherall is a safe, online service providing access to millions with anxiety, depression and other common mental health issues. 
• Shout is a mental health crisis text support service available to everyone in the UK. Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential and anonymous text support. 

Blesma Membership

If you are a Blesma Member and in need of mental health support, please don’t hesitate to contact your Blesma Support Officer. Our Support Officers can arrange specialist professional counselling and provide advice on living with limb loss or loss of use of limbs. 

The first step is to talk. The military mindset is to soldier on, but that definitely doesn’t work with PTSD. Other parts of the military culture – being part of a team, helping each other – should be far more prevalent. It is not something to be frightened about. Blesma can help, and I’ve only recently got involved with the Association.

David Dent, Former Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps

If you have served in the British Armed Forces and have suffered from a life changing injury, either during or after your service, you may be eligible for Blesma Membership.

Apply for Membership

References

• *Page 13 - Ministry of Defence UK - Armed Forces Mental Health: Annual Summary & Trends Over Time, 2007/08 to 2020/21
• List of PTSD symptoms

Header image: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023 Cpl Daniel Wiepen/MOD