Forces in Mind Trust has awarded £61,500 to Combat Stress to develop a 20-year future view of mental health support needs for the Armed Forces community to help build resilience into service provision. The project will engage a wide range of mental health and military stakeholders to identify societal, technological, and operational trends and uncertainties, forming a robust foundation for long-term strategic planning.(1)

With recent studies showing a rising demand for mental health services, greater complexity in the needs being presented, societal and generational shifts and the changing nature of warfare, Combat Stress, in partnership with RAND Europe, will analyse the mental health landscape of the Armed Forces community to provide a forecast of how it will evolve from now through to 2045.

The project begins in June, and will culminate in an informative final report to ensure organisations can prepare for the changing mental health needs of the Armed Forces community over the next two decades.

Chloe Mackay, CEO of Combat Stress, said:

“It is vital that, as a nation, we continue to meet the mental health needs of every member of the military community. We are therefore proud to lead a project that will help shape future mental health support for those who serve.

“In the 106 years since our founding, specialist mental health treatment and support have evolved significantly. As the roles, demands, and landscape of the Armed Forces continue to change, so too must our approach—ensuring we remain responsive and relevant to the needs of those we serve.”

Michelle Alston, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust said:

“Mental health is fundamental to the Armed Forces community transitioning to civilian life successfully. Forces in Mind Trust is delighted to award funding that will help guide future planning on mental health provision of the Armed Forces community.  We hope this research can form a foundation for better transition outcomes in the mental health space for ex-Service personnel and families during their transition to civilian life.”

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  1. Health and Wellbeing Study of Serving and ex-Serving UK Armed Forces Personnel: Phase 4, King’s College London https://kcmhr.org/pdf/Phase_4_Health_and_Wellbeing_Cohort_Study_Report.pdf