Celebrating Armed Forces Week

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) will be celebrating Armed Forces Week, (22 – 26 June) and raising awareness of the mental health support available to armed forces personnel and veterans.

Throughout the week the Trust will be sharing messages on its Facebook and Twitter channels from David Powell, regional lead of our Transition, Liaison and Intervention Service (TILS).

Our Transition, Liaison and Intervention Service (TILS) provide assistance to veterans by helping them access therapy for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

If you or someone you know is struggling you can contact the service by telephone 0300 323 0137 or email, mevs.mhm@nhs.net.

As an employer, the Trust supports staff who are reservists and, like David, work with cadets in their spare time. David said: “This week is really important to me, a chance as a service and as a nation to show our support for all the different parts of the military family”

Sally Morris, Chief Executive said: “We are proud to be supporting this week and all it stands for. As a Trust we are proud of our staff who are not only dedicated to the NHS but also taking the time to support the armed forces”

Earlier this year EPUT received accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

The bronze award formally recognises the Trust as a forces-friendly employer that supports the recruitment of ex-armed forces personnel and their partners. EPUT was able to apply for the accreditation after signing the Armed Forces Covenant in November 2019.

The covenant represents a commitment to treating serving personnel, veterans and their families with fairness and respect and recognises the Trust’s work in helping ex-service men and women with mental health needs.

Accreditation from the Ministry of Defence also recognises EPUT’s support of Step into Health, an initiative that aims to connect the armed forces community with potential career opportunities within the NHS.

The Trust plans to work towards silver accreditation in the future.

You can follow EPUT on Twitter and Facebook @EPUTNHS.