One of our key research priorities is:
The effectiveness of a ‘Recovery’ based model for the veteran population, including a wider focus on employment and debt management.

Recovery-oriented practice, popularised in the 1990’s and 2000’s, refocuses mental health services from ‘treat and cure’ to a more holistic and person-centred approach. It advocates service users regaining control and agency, hope for the future, and a better quality of life in the face of ongoing mental health symptoms. The ‘Recovery’ based model incorporates employment, welfare and wellbeing support, alongside other direct mental health and clinical interventions, and is an approach which resonates with our aim to support successful and sustainable transition to civilian life for ex-Service personnel and their families.

The importance of this model was reiterated in our ‘Call to Mind’ (2015) report, which was commissioned in collaboration with NHS England and Community Innovations Enterprise. The report highlights the difficulty of accessing and receiving the right mix of services where veterans have complex and multiple needs; for example, mental health problems are often seen to co-exist with other social issues in areas such as debt, employment and relationship breakdown, as well as other physical and mental health-related issues. The report illustrates a framework for improvement, which suggests developing a more holistic, fully integrated and seamless service pathway, linking the various health and social care services (read the report, particularly pages 35-36, and 40-41).

The Mental Health Research Programme is interested in receiving applications for research that evaluates or explores the effectiveness of recovery-based models and pathways for ex-Service personnel and their families.