Combat Stress: Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society
Source - Combat Stress
Since the end of World War 2, the vast majority of the British People have known nothing but peace. But it's been a very different story for the men and women of our armed forces. Time and again, they have been in the front line defending Britain's interests. In Brunei, Borneo, Indonesia, Malaya, the Falklands and the Gulf. More recently, they have played a central peace keeping role in the Balkans, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and elsewhere. And closer to home, many thousands have been involved during the thirty year long campaign in Northern Ireland, an operation that has perhaps been the most difficult and dangerous of all.
Each of these conflicts, without exception, has resulted in psychiatric casualties. And for many who are affected, the problems may take years, perhaps decades to surface.
The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, Combat Stress, exists to serve these men and women. For over 80 years, we have been the only services charity specialising in helping those of all ranks from the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy suffering from psychological disability as a result of their service.
Through our national network of welfare officers, we visit veterans at home in order to establish how best we can improve their quality of life.
Through our three treatment centres, we provide rehabilitative treatment which aims to help the victim cope with his or her disabilities and to enjoy a better quality of life.
In over 80 years of operation, the Society has provided some 75,000 veterans of the two World Wars and the many conflicts since with a unique lifeline. Currently, the Society takes about 700 veterans onto its books each year, the youngest in their early twenties, the oldest in their nineties. There are people in receipt of help who between them represent service in every campaign which the British Armed services has been engaged from the start of World War 2 to the present day.
The Society has three homes serving veterans who come from all over the United Kingdom and Eire for periods of admission usually of two to three weeks at a time.
Tyrwhitt House in Leatherhead has 30 bedrooms. Facilities have been specially built to provide for those who are physically disabled.
Hollybush House at Hollybush by Ayr is a 25 bedroom home. An occupational therapy unit is also available here and there are four 2 bed units available, to allow patients to be accompanied by a carer.
Audley Court at Newport in Shropshire, has 27 bedrooms, 22 of which are located on the ground floor. The other five rooms are on the first floor, four of which are twin-bedded.
How have combat stress helped you? Have your say on the Veterans Protest Messageboard.