Enemy Within
On World Mental Health Day, Monday 10 October, we launched a campaign to battle the stigma of psychological disorders that prevents hundreds of Veterans from seeking help.
This second phase of The Enemy Within Appeal is planned to last two years.
The campaign, funded by Comic Relief, will address the stigma that surrounds Veterans’ mental health disorders. It will raise awareness of our services, and battle the perception of shame that deters these brave ex-Service men and women from seeking treatment for their mental wounds.
Please sign our pledge to battle the stigma of Service-related mental ill health
In a recent survey carried out by Combat Stress, 81% of Veterans suffering from mental ill health, who responded, revealed that they feel ashamed or embarrassed about their condition1.
The fear of stigma and discrimination means that more than one in three of those people don’t even feel able to tell their families about their problems.
On average Veterans wait 13.1 years between leaving the Armed Forces and seeking help from Combat Stress.
Why is it important that we all battle stigma?
This delay often results in their mental health needs becoming worse. In 2010/11, seven of our new Veterans had waited 40 years or more. Without a diagnosis, appropriate treatment or support, Veterans’ psychological problems can lead to their marriage breaking up, unemployment, social isolation and substance abuse, and even suicidal.
A significant minority of Service men and women suffer from mental ill-health as a result of their experiences. Research suggests that of the 191,000 personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, about 7,600 people (4%) could develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Another 37,600 people (19.7%) may be battling other debilitating mental health problems, such as depression, mood disorders and anxiety.
1Combat Stress survey, Stigma and Veterans’ mental health (2011)
