The UK-wide funding for veterans will be distributed through
grants to organizations by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund
Trust. The pandemic has had a significant impact on mental
health as well as on mental health services.
Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
“We value hugely the sacrifices made by so many men and women
in the Armed Forces.
“Supporting veterans with mental health needs is a crucial part
of repaying the huge debt we all owe them, ensuring that
veterans get the support they deserve.”
The government provided £10 million for veterans with mental
health needs in both the 2020 and 2018 Budgets.
Those previous rounds of funding have seen cash go to charities
including the Invictus Games Foundation and Walking with the
Wounded.
The funding supported programmes including the “One is Too
Many” programme to address suicide risks among vulnerable
veterans, and the “Veterans Should Not Be Forgotten” programme
to provide support for veterans with reduced social contact.
The support for veterans is part of the government’s commitment
to the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise from the nation that
those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their
families, are treated fairly.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health and
mental health services. The government announced £500 million
at the Spending Review for the NHS to address waiting times for
mental health services, give more people the mental health
support they need, and invest in the NHS workforce, on top of a
further £2.3 billion a year to mental health services by
2023/24 as part of the Long Term Plan.
In addition, in November, the Department for Health and Social
Care announced the Wellbeing and Mental Health Support Plan for
Covid-19. The plan, backed by an additional £50 million, sets
out the support that is in place in the immediate term to help
mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on people’s mental health
and wellbeing.
