Half-day course highlights how to handle mental health issues – and let’s not forget the veterans!

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A baker’s dozen of brethren from Spilsby, Boston, Horncastle, Long Sutton, Skegness, Grantham, Gainsborough, Lincoln, and Cleethorpes have taken part in a Adult Mental Health Aware half-day course at the Lincoln centre, writes Charles Jackson, Assistant Provincial Grand Almoner.

MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) England trainer Ian presented a four-hour awareness session to the Brethren. MHFA England is part of an international community using evidence-based training to increase the mental health skills and awareness around the world.

The vision is to normalise society’s attitudes and behaviours around mental health, by developing the skills we need to look after our own and others’ well-being. Mental health education empowers people to care for themselves and others.

By reducing stigma through understanding, we hope to break down barriers to the support that people may need to stay well, recover, or manage their symptoms – to thrive in learning, work and life. MHFA Training was introduced to England in 2007 for the Department of Health.

In 2009 MHFA England community interest company was established, the core mission being raising mental health awareness amongst the general population.

The aim of the course was to enable us to:

increase knowledge in mental health and mental health issues
understand factors affecting mental health
begin a conversation with someone about their mental health
look after our own mental health

It was an enjoyable morning for all attendees.

MEANWHILE: Many serving personnel and service veterans are Freemasons, and a significant proportion of that population are experiencing mental health problems and/or will be living in conditions which we would expect to adversely affect their mental health, writes Eleanor Duke of the NHS Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.

Some individuals seek help, but there are many reasons why people do not. It may be a case of just simply not being aware of what services are available and how to access them. For others, the stigma around accessing mental health services can be a barrier.

Op COURAGE in the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service to support those who have served in the Armed Forces including reservists. Over the last three years, NHS England and NHS Improvement have launched the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS), the Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS) and more recently the Veterans’ Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS). Together these form a complete mental health care pathway which has been informed by professionals, veterans and carers.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or wellbeing, expert help is available from Op COURAGE. It does not matter if you’re due to leave the armed forces, just left the armed forces or left many years ago – the service is available for all veterans and reservists. Our teams are here to help and understand the courage it takes to speak to someone. When you contact us, you’ll speak to people who understand the armed forces and military life, and are either from the armed forces community or highly experienced in working with serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families.

Referrals to veterans’ mental health services

Individuals can access the NHS Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, including TILS and HIS, by contacting their GP or by calling the 24-hour Single Point of Entry (SPE) Line on 0300 323 0137 for an assessment of their needs. SPE is managed by charity partner, Mental Health Matters.