Supporting veterans’ sense of belonging this Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week which is taking place 12th – 18th May 2025, is an annual event to raise awareness of the importance of everyone’s mental health. This year’s theme is ‘Community’, with a focus on the importance of connection and belonging for mental wellbeing.
Community is especially important for Army veterans as well as serving soldiers and their families.
Most soldiers transition into civilian life smoothly, but, for some, leaving the Army is a daunting experience. The ABF is there to support those who are in particular need of help, including those who have been wounded, injured or sick and medically discharged. Former soldiers often find comfort and support in connecting with others who share similar experiences. Being around fellow veterans provides a sense of understanding, belonging, and shared trust. These connections help overcome feelings of exclusion and can play a vital role in improving mental health and overall wellbeing.
25 of the grants awarded in the ABF’s spring funding rounds aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of soldiers, veterans and their families, which is central to the charity’s work. Below are just some of the recent grants we have awarded to support the mental wellbeing of the Army family.
Combat Stress
We are proud to offer longstanding support to Combat Stress, the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity. Our grant of £275,000 will help Combat Stress deliver its specialist mental health services to Army veterans in need.
PTSD Resolution
PTSD Resolution CIO provides effective, free, prompt mental health treatment for veterans, reservists and their families, through its network of qualified therapists. The ABF’s funding of £14,580 means 16 Army veterans and family members will receive life-changing therapy that might otherwise have been unavailable to them.
Brooke House
Brooke House supports veterans, their families, and carers across Northern Ireland who have been physically or psychologically impacted by their service. Our grant of £8,000 will enable it to run its therapeutic nature-based programme, promoting mental wellbeing through activities that empower veterans and their families to regain control over their lives and build self-esteem.
Style for Soldiers
Style for Soldiers provides smart clothing and military dress for medically discharged service personnel, most of whom were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. The charity also organises parties and reunions to help them connect with like-minded people with similar needs and challenges.
Our grant of £20,000 will go towards the costs of their Christmas Reunion and Networking Dinner. The event is organised to encourage injured service personnel to attend a social occasion in a familiar environment and gain more confidence.
East Durham Veterans Trust
Since its foundation in 2020, East Durham Veterans Trust has provided mental health counselling services to hundreds of veterans and family members in County Durham and North-East England.
Our grant of £12,000 will help fund the charity’s specialist counsellors who provide various services to veterans with a range of needs, including mental health assessments, integrated one-to-one counselling and addiction support.
Promoting mental wellbeing for the entire Army family
At the Army Benevolent Fund, we are proud to support serving personnel, veterans, and their families by ensuring they have access to the mental wellbeing resources they need to navigate the unique challenges of Army life. From counselling and resilience-building initiatives to wellbeing activities that foster community, our commitment to supporting these projects extends through Mental Health Awareness Week and every day of the year.