HELP is at hand for for vulnerable Surrey veterans, thanks to a NHS initiative and a Ministry of Defence-funded project.

An unique service commissioned by the NHS aims to support vulnerable military veterans and reservists across the county.

The SERVES service was founded to help Surrey residents experiencing mild to moderate levels of depression, anxiety, stress, or some form of emotional distress access psychological therapies more quickly.

They will be put in touch with trained mental health advisors from First Steps and the service offers a range of self-help resources, educational sessions and information about other relevant local services.

NHS England is now asking armed forces veterans who have benefited from SERVES to take part in a survey, which is open until March 31, to share their experiences of its mental health services with a view to improving care across the UK.

As well as veterans, family members and carers, the staff and organisations providing treatment and support in this area will also take part.

The NHS currently provides 12 mental health services across England specifically for ex-forces personnel with mental health needs. New contracts are due next year and the survey responses will be used to develop future services taking account of current experiences.

Dr Jonathan Leach, chairman of NHS England’s armed forces and their families clinical reference group, said: “On leaving the armed forces, most people successfully transition back into civilian life.

“But some individuals can experience very traumatic situations whilst serving in the military before facing the additional challenges of moving back into civilian life, all of which can take a severe toll.

“While mental health awareness is improving, we can do more to identify issues not just with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder but with wider problems linked to anxiety and depression.

“We are asking for feedback from veterans, their families and NHS specialists so that the right care and support is available early and easily for those who need it.”

Help is also at hand for Surrey vulnerable Surrey veterans, thanks to a £20,000 grant from the Ministry of Defence grant to fund much-needed support to those who have spent their lives in the Armed Forces, only to find themselves in the criminal justice system.

Veterans and ex-service personnel make up seven per cent of the prison population.

A main cause is that leaving the wider family of the Armed Services, with its structured lifestyle shared with like-minded colleagues who’ve been through the traumatic experiences, and trying to adjust to ordinary life can be very hard.

Jeff Harris, Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner has received the grant to identify the number of ex-service personnel in prison in the county, as well as those on licence, and to form a group of mentors to provide support within the system.

The money will also identify ways to divert ex-service personnel away from the criminal justice system.

The project in partnership with HM Prisons, HM Courts Service and the Probation Service will identify those in need of help and the mentors, many of whom will be ex-service personnel themselves, will work with them to help integrate them back into heir community.

It currently costs between £45,000 and £60,000 a year to keep a person in prison.

If just one ex-serviceman, reservist or veteran entering the criminal justice system as a result of the project, it would be self-funding almost immediately.

• To take part in the NHS survey go to www.firststeps-surrey.nhs.uk/serves/.