Veterans to benefit from new service combating "hidden wounds"

The Help for Heroes Hidden Wounds service will be operating out of the charity’s recovery centre at Tedworth House.

It will help individuals to understand and manage anxiety, depression and stress with support delivered by phone, Skype or face-to-face.

The service will also support the families of veterans and the families of those currently serving in the forces.

Harry Jones, 19, joined the Army as a Signaller in 2012. He started suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, often when he was most relaxed.

Following a period of treatment, Harry was medically discharged for his anxiety in 2014 and contacted H4H Hidden Wounds at the end of last year. He said: “My anxiety left me constantly scared. I didn’t know what was happening to me, when my next panic attack would be or how to make it stop.

“I needed help but I was embarrassed to ask. Picking up the phone was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but now I’d recommend Help for Heroes Hidden Wounds to anyone. They helped me understand that what I was going through wasn’t something to be ashamed of and gave me simple tools I can use to manage my anxiety.”

The charity says different people respond to stress and worry in a variety of ways – it can be a sudden lack of motivation or interest in everyday activities, an uncontrollable sense of worry or fear, physical tension in the head or shoulders, or any number of other symptoms.

The service seeks to address these issues and is delivered by H4H Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) who understand the unique situations faced by the Armed Forces community, teaching individuals practical tools and techniques to get them back to enjoying everyday life.

Help for Heroes head of psychological wellbeing Vanessa Lewis added: “While the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may be over, the personal battles of those who served may only just be beginning.”

For information call 01980 844300 or email hidden.wounds @helpforheroes.org.uk