Veterans in crisis: Describing the complexity of presentations to a mainstream UK Veterans’ mental health service

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY Armed forces Veterans often delay seeking help for mental health problems until a crisis point is reached. However, the clinical presentation of UK Veterans in mental health crisis is poorly understood. This study explored the presenting demographics, mental health problems, and factors that contributed to the current mental health crisis of UK Veterans who were referred to a Veterans’ crisis service, delivered as part of the mainstream health system. It showed that Veterans in crisis were similar in age and gender to the wider population at higher risk of crisis. Veterans presented with a broad range of symptoms of mental ill health and factors that were driving their current crises. Findings suggest that crisis services that address a broad range of symptoms and factors may be best positioned to address Veterans’ needs. It also suggests that these services need to ensure they are responsive to the needs of the whole Veteran population, including younger Veterans and women.