Armed Forces: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Measures are in place to increase awareness at all levels and to mitigate the development of operational stresses. These include pre-and post-deployment briefing and the availability of support, assessment and (if required) treatment, both during and after deployments. This is available to all personnel, whether Regular or mobilised Reservists. The families of returning personnel are also offered advice on the possible after-effects of an operational deployment.

All Service personnel have access to mental health support throughout their career, including medical and non-medical services. The Trauma Risk Management process (TRiM) is a Tri-Service endorsed strategy for providing support to Armed Forces personnel involved in a traumatic event, whether on Operations or in any other circumstance. TRiM aims to help individuals use their own coping mechanisms in order to keep them operationally effective, and to identify if further help is needed.

For Armed Forces personnel requiring mental healthcare, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, the DMS provides a responsive, flexible, accessible, and comprehensive treatment service.