Vulnerable Veterans Should Exercise Caution When Using Social Media For Support.

Vulnerable veterans using social media for support is a common practice, and it can have both positive and negative aspects. Social media platforms provide a readily accessible space where people can seek support from the comfort of their own homes. This can be especially beneficial for individuals with physical disabilities, mental health issues, or those who are homebound. Some vulnerable veterans may feel more comfortable seeking support online because it allows them to maintain a level of anonymity. This anonymity can help reduce the fear of stigma or judgment associated with their vulnerabilities. Social media can facilitate the formation of supportive communities and online groups where individuals with similar experiences can connect, share stories, and offer one another emotional support. Vulnerable veterans can use social media to access valuable information, resources, and educational content related to their specific challenges or conditions. Many organisations and experts share helpful materials through these platforms. Similarly, Social media operates around the clock, making it possible for people to find support and engage with others at any time of day, which can be crucial during moments of crisis or when traditional support services are unavailable.

However, vulnerable veterans may inadvertently share sensitive personal information online, leading to privacy and security risks. There is also the possibility of encountering malicious individuals or scams on social media. Social media can be a breeding ground for misinformation and false advice. Vulnerable veterans may be more susceptible to believing and acting on inaccurate information, potentially harming themselves. Vulnerable veterans, including those with mental health issues, disabilities, or marginalised identities, are at greater risk of experiencing cyberbullying or harassment on social media. Some individuals may become overly dependent on online support groups and social media for their well-being, potentially neglecting other essential aspects of their lives. While online support can be beneficial, it should not replace real-life relationships and professional help. Overreliance on online support may lead to isolation from friends, family, and qualified mental health professionals. Online interactions can sometimes be emotionally charged, and vulnerable veterans may experience additional stress or emotional turmoil when engaging in online support groups or discussions.

To summarise, it's important for vulnerable veterans to exercise caution when using social media for support and to be aware of the potential risks. Practicing digital literacy, setting privacy settings, and verifying information are some steps that can help mitigate the negative aspects of online support. Additionally, it's advisable for vulnerable veterans to seek professional help when needed and not rely solely on social media for their well-being. Social media can be a valuable tool for support, but it should be used in conjunction with other resources and support networks.

Tony Wright CEO Forward Assist

The Silent Struggle: Examining the Hopelessness, Loneliness, and Isolation Experienced by UK Military Veterans.

Service related musculoskeletal disorders comprise diverse conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues. These disorders may result in pain and loss of function and are among the most disabling and costly conditions in the UK.

The transition from military service to civilian life is a challenging journey for many veterans, especially those grappling with service-related muscular and skeletal injuries. In the United Kingdom, a significant number of military veterans face not only the physical consequences of their injuries but also the profound psychological impact that often leads to feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, and isolation. Forward Assist are keen to highlight the multifaceted dimensions of the challenges faced by UK military veterans with muscular and skeletal injuries, shedding light on the factors contributing to their mental health struggles. Veterans with muscular and skeletal injuries often contend with chronic pain and physical disabilities, limiting their mobility and independence. The constant battle against pain can contribute to a sense of hopelessness, as the veterans grapple with the idea that their injuries may be permanent, affecting their ability to engage in everyday activities. The journey to recovery for veterans can be hindered by limited accessibility to healthcare services. Long waiting times, insufficient specialised care, and gaps in mental health support contribute to a feeling of abandonment, exacerbating the sense of hopelessness and isolation among veterans. Many veterans with muscular and skeletal injuries also contend with post-traumatic stress disorder, further compounding their mental health challenges. The combination of physical and psychological trauma intensifies feelings of hopelessness and can lead to self-imposed isolation as veterans struggle to cope with their internal battles. Society's perception of disability and mental health can contribute to the isolation of veterans. Misunderstandings and stigmas surrounding visible and invisible injuries may lead to feelings of loneliness as veterans perceive a lack of understanding and empathy from the broader community. Military service often provides a sense of purpose and identity for individuals. Muscular and skeletal injuries, however, can force veterans to confront a loss of identity as they grapple with their changed physical abilities. This loss, coupled with a perceived lack of purpose in civilian life, contributes to a profound sense of hopelessness. Veterans with service-related injuries may face economic difficulties due to limitations in employment opportunities. Financial strain further isolates them from societal activities, leading to a sense of loneliness and hopelessness as they struggle to meet basic needs and maintain a sense of dignity. The availability of support systems is crucial for veterans navigating the challenges of muscular and skeletal injuries. Inadequate support, whether from family, friends, or the community, leaves veterans feeling isolated and abandoned in their struggle, exacerbating the mental health toll of their injuries. The hopelessness, loneliness, and isolation experienced by UK military veterans with service-related muscular and skeletal injuries represent a pressing societal concern. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses improved accessibility to healthcare, de-stigmatisation of disabilities, enhanced mental health support, and the cultivation of a more inclusive and understanding society. By recognising the unique struggles faced by these veterans and implementing targeted interventions, the UK can work towards creating a supportive environment that fosters healing, resilience, and reintegration for those who have sacrificed their well-being in the service of their country.

Tony Wright CEO Forward Assist

Mental Illness Is Not A Disease.

In the last 100 years, Psychiatry has made significant advances, gone are the days when recovery from a psychiatric disorder was reliant on the draining of blood from Galen’s Four Humours (Greek physician, AD 129 – 216)  Yet how far have we really come in understanding Mental Health and what does recovery looks like?

It is not surprising that having ‘mental health’ problem carries with it a great deal of stigma as the the early response and treatment involved sending individuals to institutions (asylums) for so called treatment and never letting them out!

Throughout our lives we have probably all been guilty of using slang terms to describe those who have a mental illness. Children are taught to view people as either ‘normal’  or ‘abnormal’ based upon the behaviour they could see, and how the person fitted into or didn’t fit into their communities.  Using labels like, ‘schizo’, ‘crazy’ or other clinically diagnostic labels like ‘ Personality Disorder’  ‘ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder’ or Anxiety can trap suffers into thinking that they have ‘something’ wrong with them or worse, that this ‘something’ means they are broken and defective.

Labels are overly used in psychiatry and it does not sit well with me. In my experience it can give some people licence to behave badly,  ‘it’s not MY fault I’m sick’.  Even the term ‘mental illness’ or ‘mental health’ has negative connotations implying that there is a right and wrong way to be.

Psychiatry is often based on a chemical imbalance theory or uses a medical model to diagnose and inevitably treat mental illness. Often taking into consideration genetics, patterns of behaviour and the presentation of clinical symptoms. This model of  treatment loses sight of and strips away those personal life experiences that influence all behaviour be that good or bad. People forget that reacting to trauma and the associated stressors is perfectly normal.

This level of misunderstanding can often lead professionals down a rabbit hole,  if the clients  presenting issues are not understood the fall back position is to rely on the trusty medical model. Creating a false sense of hope for the patient and the family. Sometimes making them believe that medication is the only way to manage mental illness and when the ‘magic pill’ outcome fails , trust and hope is often destroyed.

In my experience working with Veterans is no different. Returning to civilian life after serving in the military is a difficult challenge that thousands of Veterans must face. For some, this will necessitate that they will need to learn how to manage both physical and psychological wounds.

Many of the Veterans  we work with often identify with feeling that life is harder for them to manage than most. Yet, what if a large part of the problem didn’t have anything to do with mental illness or impositions faced during transition?  What if it had more to do with a lack of community connection, boredom, loneliness and not understanding how to manage difficult thoughts and feelings ?

For serving military personnel time is structured with numerous tasks to complete, service personnel are always busy and rarely on their own. There isn’t enough time to think or feel, in fact it is actively discouraged.

In the civilian world time is a Veterans enemy.  Suddenly they are thrown into a world where employers expect employees to work autonomously even when they are part of team. Colleagues go  home to their families, the landscape is constantly changing and expects constant adaptation.  There is no protective military cocoon.

Medicalising veterans issues doesn’t help anyone. I have a growing sense of unease that instead of helping Veterans we are trapping them in state of unwellness.

Don’t get me wrong, some Veterans will need medication to help them with their problems and traditional psychiatry can and will help.

Yet, we have found the adoption of a psychosocial model to support veterans  gain control over their individual and social environment results in far more  positive and sustainable outcomes.

Teaching Veterans how to ask for help, coping skills, resilience, problem solving, self regulation, the importance diet and nutrition and the challenges that they are likely to face during a life lived well. For example, relationship breakdown, loneliness, unemployment and the impact of growing old disgracefully, not only empowers Veterans, it also provides them with individual tools that allow them to face and solve problems as well build resilience to deal with life’s stressors.

Psychiatrist, Professor Sir Simon Wessely, was probably right when he said,’ his heart sank every time there was a mental health awareness week’ simply because;

“ We don’t need more people to be aware. We can’t deal with the ones who are already aware”

 In summary, lets look at different ways to support veterans, especially ones that don’t label them or stigmatise.

 Paula Edwards

Salute Her Project Lead & Mental Health Therapist.