Many Army Veterans Are Struggling with Poor Mental Health

Nearly 40% of army veterans—44% of women and 38% of men—have confessed to experiencing mental health problems including depression, anxiety, alcoholism, or post-traumatic stress, according to the British Medical Journal.

Many people have served their nation with honour and distinction throughout the long and proud history of military service in the UK. The price is sometimes great, though, as many veterans come home with physical and mental wounds that can last a lifetime.

This issue impacts not just the soldiers themselves but also their families and communities. Policymakers, medical professionals, and society as large must pay serious attention to this problem and respond accordingly.

In recent years, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has come under fire for its management of veterans’ mental health concerns. One very contentious element of this is the Overseas Operations Act, which went into force in 2021.

Although this law has been promoted as a means to stop trivial legal claims against troops, it has also drawn fire for making it more difficult for veterans to pursue justice for the damage sustained during their service.

The Overseas Operations Act clearly makes it more difficult for veterans to seek compensation, which has fuelled disappointment and resentment among many in the veteran community. Going via the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, which can grant ex-gratia payments for soldiers harmed in the course of duty, is one possibility.

A UK government program, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) offers monetary compensation to current and past armed forces people hurt or ill as a consequence of their service. The program addresses a broad spectrum of injuries and disorders, including physical injuries, mental health issues, and illnesses brought on by exposure to chemicals or infectious infections.

The AFCS is meant to offer a no-fault system of compensation, hence it does not call for veterans to demonstrate that certain events during their service caused their injuries or illnesses. Rather, the program offers a system of tariffs used to calculate a veteran’s entitlement to compensation depending on the kind and degree of their disability or disease.

Although the AFCS is a significant source of assistance for veterans hurt or ill as a result of their service, others have condemned it as too bureaucratic and hard to negotiate.

Legal counsel is essential for veterans with mental health issues to know their rights and choices for pursuing treatment and compensation.

Usually, you have three years from the date of the event that triggered your mental health issues to file a claim; however, this time frame can be lengthened if a judge finds justification.

A knowledgeable personal injury solicitor will assist you in comprehending the legal possibilities open to you and direct you through the procedure of filing a claim or requesting government or other organisational support. They can undoubtedly assist with challenging procedures like the AFCS application, which must be submitted via the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.

Our knowledgeable personal injury team can assist you in considering the various choices and provide the direction and support you require. Get in touch with us now to learn more.