Emotional Support

The DVD, “A Question of Stress” is a short film aimed at answering family’s queries relating to questions of traumatic stress. The film falls into three distinct areas and touches on a wide range of stress issues. The first of the three sub-sets addresses; ‘Trauma issues that may arise prior to personnel returning from operations’, The second deals with ‘Issues that may arise whilst personnel are engaged on Post Operation Leave’, the final part deals with the questions of: ‘What strategies help? And, where can I get support’? The film’s format is a question & answer session with the questions asked by Emma Prince & Alison Wright of the Naval Families Federation and the answers being supplied by Lt Cdr Ian Kennedy RN, QARNNS Senior Nursing Officer Royal Navy Mental Health & Maj Cameron March MBE RM of the NCHQ Operational Stress Management Team.

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment

Research has examined the natural pattern of emotions that everybody goes through whilst experiencing separation. It shows that by realising these emotions are natural and that you are not the only family experiencing them can go a long way towards helping you cope with the difficulty of being apart.

Homecomings and Reunions

Everybody looks forward to the family getting together again after a period of separation but, it can be stressful as well as joyful but help and advice are on hand in either the Royal Navy Coming Home Booklet or the Royal Marines Coming Home Booklet. Information regarding the Decompression process is also worth viewing.

Children and Deployment

Don't forget children have feelings too, and they will worry as much as the rest of us about the deployment and the feelings this evokes. For further advice go to “The Children” area of this site

Problems Following Deployment

In a very few instances some serving personnel may require extra help in getting over the experiences of separation or the deployment. Help can be sought through Naval Personal and Family Service or Royal Marines Welfare. The publications the Trauma Resilience Handbook and the Trauma Risk Management Stress Handbook also provide basic useful advice and contact details.

Trauma Risk Management (TRiM)

TRiM uses small teams of purposely-trained non-medical personnel to recognise the early signs and symptoms of Traumatic Stress. Embedding TRiM teams within units, they are used as a command management tool in the aftermath of a traumatic event. They provide support by way of coping strategies when somebody is experiencing difficulties. Education to those directly or indirectly involved. And, as a means of signposting, those who may require further support, whether that is professional or by managing, them better.

Reserves Mental Health Programme (RMHP)

The RMHP is a tri-Service initiative, established at Chilwell (co-located with the Reserves Training & Mobilisation Centre). The programme is designed to enable Reservists (RNR, RMR, TA, RAuxAF and Regular Reserves) who have mobilised and deployed as Reservists, to access a mental health programme. In partnership with the NHS, the RMHP aims to assess and where appropriate, provide outpatient care. Reservists demobilised from an operational theatre since 1 January 2003 are eligible for this service. Users or their GP can access the system and concerned relatives or friends can obtain advice by telephoning free phone 0800 032 6258.

The Big White Wall

The Big White Wall early intervention service offers free, anonymous online psychological support for serving personnel, veterans and families.

Combat Stress

Combat Stress is the UK's leading military charity specialising in the care of Veterans' mental health. They treat conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety disorders and their services are free of charge to the Veteran.