b'MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING IMPACT REPORT 2021Increasing theI was offered a medical discharge which would have taken MENTAL HEALTHA JOURNEY, awareness of mentalseveral months to arrange, or accept an honorable discharge health issues,based on my exceptional circumstances which would be all preventative strategies,done and dusted in just 24 hours. I took the second option NOT A DESTINATION the early signs and how to respond, as well as communicatingwhich allowed me to leave as quickly as I could.the extent of available support to family members, is a reallyJim reached out to Combat Stress after seeing an advert for challenging task.The RNRMC responded 2021 by launching a MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO THE SERVING POPULATION ANDPathfinder service in the Solentarea called Anchoring Minds,their helpline.which was specifically designed to support the families of It wasnt easy. I was embarrassed to call the helpline. I thought THEIR FAMILIES serving personnel whose mental health and wellbeing may beId been dealing with my problems but really, Id just been told to of concern. A pilot workshop co-delivered by the local Improvingkeep busy and push everything to the back of my mind. I felt like The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity funds mental health and wellbeing support in many waysAccess to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services specificallya failure.and through a broad church of delivery partners. Where the RNRMC is looking to address underlyingfor service families took place in early 2022. It was so causes of need, it is developing longer-term strategic partnerships with other charitiessuccessful that it is leading to further workshops and creating and organisations whilst continuing to make individual grants as required.peer groups from participating beneficiaries. During my conversations over the 4 years Ive MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR VETERANS been advocating and delivering Mental Health RNRMC funding allows Aggies Pastoral Workers not only toI dont like to think of the potential outcome as speaking to allMental health problems can sometimes arise because of pastawareness courses, Ive been surprised how long offer support to Royal Navy families, but also to have a much- of his line management and oppos, none of them had any ideatrauma, and this can particularly affect veterans. The RNRMCthe knowledge from courses like these sticks, valued presence in establishments. Pastoral Workers provideof the state he was in or that he had tried to take his own life.has worked in partnership with Combat Stress for many years time to listen by locating themselves alongside RN personnel,to support Royal Navy veterans with complex mental healthso many people still remember the real penny-often working closely with the RN Chaplaincy service, providing.I really felt it important to give you one example of the directconditions. This partnership ensures that Royal Navy veterans,dropping moments from the courses and use confidential support in times of stress and signposting andimpact your funding had. like Jim, will continue to receive vital support. them in everyday life to understand themselves instigating support as and when needed. Throughout theAlcohol misuse andJim had wanted to join the Royal Navy since he was nine years pandemic, and with many personnel experiencing prolongedhabitual gambling can beold. When he was 18 that dream came true, but unfortunatelyand notice changes in others.periods of confinement due to pre-deployment or testing a manifestation of mentalnothing prepared him for a life-changing attack on his life.WO1 EXEC Dean Buttonpositive for COVID, the Pastoral Workers have provided muchhealth struggles. With RNRMCIn March 1992, after joining the HMS Illustrious, my life was needed support to those struggling with isolation and support, The Society of Sttotally changed when I was the victim of a random unprovoked separation from their loved ones. James launched ForcesLinking Alcohol and/or Gambling withattack shortly after going ashore. My attacker, who pushed me In the Solent area, the RNRMC has funded new PathfinderSupport Services (FLAGS) as a pilot project in late 2020. FLAGSthrough a plate glass window, was later charged with attemptedBy working with the specialist team at Combat Stress Jim services including mental health training and support forworks alongside the Royal Navy to support serving personnelmurder. I sustained life-changing physical and mental injuriesbegan to learn coping techniques for the acute hyperarousal gambling and alcohol problems.who are affected by alcohol and/or gambling addictions and theand the doctors didnt think I would make it.and flashbacks he frequently experienced.project is making a real difference. The project aims to preventCombat Stress also encouraged me to re-engage with the In 2021, RNRMC funding enabled over 2,000 serving personnelfurther issues developing by helping those in need confront theirBut I defied the odds, and after several weeks I was moved to aveteran community. I hadnt taken part in anything military since across a number of bases and establishments to receiveaddictions and get their lives and careers back on track, as wasMental Health ward where in June of 92 I was diagnosed withleaving the Navy. In 2019 I was selected to attend the Cenotaph training in mental wellbeing and a safe forum for discussionthe case with a beneficiary who was referred to FLAGS by hisPTSD as a result of the attack. I spent four weeks going throughon Remembrance Sunday. What I learnt at Combat Stress on the subject of mental ill health. Following this training twoMedical Officer in 2021. a PTSD Awareness Course. I was also told not to think or talkhas made a massive difference to me. I know now I needed to service personnel reported feeling suicidal to the trainer. BothThe beneficiary, who wished to remain anonymous said: Havingabout my trauma. For over twenty-five years I continued to paintprocess my memories, not just bury them or push them away.had previously completed Royal Navy online mental healthregular contact with FLAGS was a reminder to watch my alcoholas a way of coping and never spoke about the attack. awareness training, but their suicidal thoughts had goneconsumption. The FLAGS team helped me to get upgraded unnoticed and unreported. Both the format of the course which meant that I could continue working. I am now fully and the style of the training created the right conditions for upgraded and deployable. I really appreciate the help. Not longPlease scan here with your Smart Phone to hear theIf you would like to find out more about Combat them to speak up, something which has been highlighted in now until I go to sea. Company of Makers Lockdown podcast featuringStress or how to access their support, please visit , the feedback:Chief Petty Officer John Lewis, founder of Malesor call their 24 hour helpline on 0800 138 1619.Tales, a mental health support group funded through 24 a grant from the RNRMC. 25'