Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what mental health support armed service personnel currently receive when leaving Her Majesty's Armed Forces.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is absolutely committed to ensuring that both serving personnel and veterans are given the mental health treatment and support they need. We do this by working in close partnership with a variety of different organisations, including the NHS (which is responsible for the provision of healthcare, including mental healthcare, for veterans) and Service charities.

Personnel leaving the Armed Forces are provided with a final medical assessment by Defence Medical Services who can refer personnel to sources of civilian welfare support as necessary. Those who have had mental health issues during their service are able to access facilities at their nearest MOD Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) for up to six months after discharge, to help them during the transition period. A Tri-Service Welfare Referral Protocol ensures any Service person discharged with a diagnosed mental health disorder who has given their consent is referred to the MOD's Veterans UK Veteran Welfare Service who can provide ongoing specialist advice, information and support. Where a Service person in England is approaching discharge but has an enduring need for mental healthcare, we work in partnership with NHS England through the Veterans Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service, to ensure continuity of care.

The Government is not complacent about the need to further support our people. As part of the cross-Government 'Strategy for our Veterans' launched in 2018, this year we are also introducing a holistic transition policy. Transition support currently provided by the MOD largely focuses on employment support, delivered by the Career Transition Partnership. This supports Service leavers in their transition from military to civilian life through a range of career and employment support services, including skills development workshops, seminars, resettlement training advice, vocational training courses, career consultancy, one-to-one guidance and job finding support. However, transition is far wider than finding employment, and relates to the significant life changing processes which affect both the Service person and their immediate family through the entire time they are within or connected to the Armed Forces, through to discharge and beyond. These need to be appropriately addressed to ensure successful transition into civilian life. This will include transition to civilian health care.