Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) financial and (b) non-financial support is offered to current and former army personnel affected by mental health problems related to the use of Lariam.

The Government takes the mental health and wellbeing of the Armed Forces very seriously and substantial support is available to Service personnel and veterans who present with mental health problems, irrespective of the cause of such problems.

For Service personnel, this includes access to a number of military Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) across the UK: DCMH teams comprise psychiatrists and mental health nurses, with access to clinical psychologists and mental health social workers.

Service personnel identified with a mental health problem prior to leaving Service are entitled to access care in a DCMH for up to six months beyond their discharge date to continue their care.

A large fraction of mental healthcare support for veterans is provided by the NHS, and there are now specialist teams across the UK whose focus is veterans' mental healthcare. Within the Ministry of Defence, the Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme provides mental health assessments for eligible veterans and Reservists who have concerns about their mental health. Veterans can also access the mental health services provided by Combat Stress and other charities.

There is no separate provision of financial support to Serving personnel or veterans specifically as a result of mental health problems related to mefloquine (commercially known as Lariam). However, if Service personnel are diagnosed with mental health conditions attributable to Service they may be eligible for a financial award under either the War Pensions Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. All claims are considered on a case by case basis.