Meeting the needs of women veterans in mental health services.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Meeting the needs of women veterans in mental health services: Co-designing guidance for healthcare professionals.
IRAS ID
307346
Contact name
Lauren Godier-McBard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
This project aims to develop guidance for NHS mental healthcare professionals to meet the mental health support needs of women veterans. To do this, we will carry out an 18-month research project, working with:
• NHS veteran mental health services in Essex;
• Salute Her, a charity which provides specific mental health services for women veterans.Women are a minority in the UK Armed Forces, however the proportion of UK ex-service women (‘women veterans’) is set to rise from 11% to 13% by 2028. Almost a quarter of UK women veterans experience mental health problems, compared to one fifth of male veterans and non-military women.
The proportion of women accessing NHS Veteran Mental Health Services is less than expected (5-6%), based on the proportion of women in the Armed Forces (11%). By not accessing specialist veteran services, women may not receive the NHS priority treatment available to veterans with mental health conditions that occurred because of their service. Waiting longer for treatment, and not accessing support tailored for veterans, could lead to poorer mental health outcomes in women.
An experts-by-experience (EBE) group of women veterans was established at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). This group expressed that NHS veteran specialist services had not been designed to meet women’s needs, resulting in poor experiences for women.
During the project we will speak with 48 women veterans (including those who have and have not used mental health services), in 8 focus groups, to better understand their mental health support needs, experiences and expectations. We will also speak to 12 mental healthcare professionals to better understand the challenges experienced in providing support.
Findings from the group discussions will be used to inform the development of new guidance in partnership with our EBE Group. This guidance will include practical suggestions for implementing changes and supporting women veterans.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SW/0181
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion