Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to help prevent suicide among veterans.

Veterans can access bespoke mental health support through Op COURAGE, which provides personalised care plans and access to support and treatment out of hours. Op COURAGE includes the High Intensity Service for veterans in mental health crises, including those at risk of suicide. As of 31 August, Op COURAGE has received over 24,000 referrals.

Additionally, NHS England and the Ministry of Defence have commissioned a review of research by Manchester University on suicide prevention, which will inform further options to prevent suicide among veterans. The study will investigate age-specific rates of suicide in veterans; identify risk factors and characteristics among veterans; and describe trends in suicide rates in veterans. The final report will be submitted in March 2023. Through the NHS Long Term Plan, we are investing an additional £57 million in suicide prevention by 2023/24, which will support local suicide prevention plans and the development of suicide bereavement services, including for veterans.