Combat Stress Director of Research awarded Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre Lifetime Achievement Award

We are pleased to announce that Professor Walter Busuttil, Director of Research and Consultant Psychiatrist at Combat Stress, has been honoured by the Forces in Mind Trust (FIMT) Research Centre for a lifetime of leading and driving treatment and research for the benefit of veterans’ mental health.

Walter, who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award on 13 May 2024 at the FIMT Research Centre Conference, has completely transformed the landscape. Both Combat Stress’ unique cutting-edge treatment and the NHS’ own bespoke veteran services, would not exist but for his work and research.

Professor Walter Busuttil, Director of Research at Combat Stress, said: “I don’t see this award as just for me, but rather for all of us who have worked diligently for the betterment of the mental health of current and former service personnel.

“Together we have come so far in the past twenty years, from huge advancements in treatment, to collaboration across the sector, to breaking down barriers and stigma preventing those who need it from receiving help. This award really is testament to that.

“Combat Stress continues to be a great leader in driving, providing and informing gold-standard mental health treatment, research and support for veterans, both in the UK and internationally. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Ruth Harris, Co-Director of the FiMT Research Centre, said: “Professor Busuttil has had an exceptional career to date and has played a pivotal role in advancing research involving UK veterans and developing clinical mental health services for the veteran community.

“In acknowledgement of his contribution to the sector, we are honoured to have presented him with this award.”

Walter served as Consultant Psychiatrist in Military Psychiatry in the RAF for 16 years, retiring at the Rank of Wing Commander in 1997. For the next 10 years, he worked with veteran sufferers of traumatic stress and published studies exploring treatment for Complex PTSD.

Joining Combat Stress in 2007, as Medical Director, he spent the next 13 years developing cutting-edge bespoke clinical services as well as forming the Combat Stress Centre for Applied Veteran Health Research.

He has also been responsible for evaluating and publishing the treatment programmes devised for Complex PTSD in adult survivors of sexual trauma.

Today he operates as Combat Stress Director of Research.