THE FORCES IN MIND TRUST AWARDS GRANT TO THE POPPY FACTORY AND THE CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH TO RESEARCH EMPLOYABILITY FOR VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

The Forces in Mind Trust has awarded a grant to The Poppy Factory and the Centre for Mental Health to research employability for veterans with mental health problems.

The project will explore:

  • Whether the numbers of ex-Service personnel who have a mental health condition and remain in work for 12 months or longer could be improved and if so how; and
  • The resource(s) which would enable employers to recruit and support veterans with a mental health condition more effectively.

The project aims to research and lay the foundations for a framework for the Poppy Factory, The Centre for Mental Health as well as other employers to ensure that all ex-Service Personnel who have a mental health condition wishing to work are able to gain and sustain employment. Mental health problems come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and the emphasis of the evaluation will be on the needs of the individual.

Trustee and Mental Health Specialist for The Poppy Factory, Geraldine Strathdee said: “I am delighted this funding has been awarded by FiMT. As a Poppy Factory trustee and National Clinical Director for mental health, NHS, I know how much employment means to people who suffer with mental ill health. They tell me they value the benefits employment offers them and their families, the network of social contacts they build up and the opportunity to be able to contribute to their communities.  I very much look forward to the outputs of this research, as it is vital that we learn how best to offer parity of access to employment support for those who have had mental illness.”

The Chief Executive of the Forces in Mind Trust, Air Vice-Marshal Ray Lock said:“This research by the Centre for Mental Health and The Poppy Factory complements FiMT’s recently published Transition Mapping Study Report, which highlighted that differences between military and civilian life are easily underestimated, and underlined the importance of individually tailored transition pathways.. Understanding the very specific and individual needs of ex-Service personnel with mental health problems within the workplace is vital, not just for the individual, but also for the employer.”

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