There are an estimated five million veterans in the UK, and a further 20,000 personnel leave the forces each year.

When personnel leave HM Forces, their healthcare transfers from the M.O.D. to the NHS. For those with a medical discharge on the ground of mental health issues, an M.O.D. social worker works with them for up to 12 months to help them access the right NHS services.

The number of personnel who have to leave our armed forces because of a psychological condition is considered to be very low. It is estimated that between 2001 and 2007 the annual number varied from 155 to 215.

This means approximately 0.1% of regular service personnel are discharged annually for mental health reasons. Of these, approximately 20-25 are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

For those who leave the forces without a medical discharge, it is considered that most of them make the transition to civilian life without difficulty and seek help from their GPs if they need to, like everyone else.

The Rhondda Veterans Support Group is a self help group that may be able to help. If you consider that you may have the symptoms of P.T.S.D. Then Contact us.The R.V.S.G. is run under the Rhondda Mental Health Trust and work's out of Trealaw Mental Health Unit.

We are supported by Jim a Mental Health Nurse who himself is an Ex-Veteran