• Combat Stress Learning shares our evidence-based, trauma informed expertise of veterans’ mental health with organisations who work with, employ or support veterans, so that they can help the former servicemen and women they encounter to live healthy and meaningful lives.

    • We facilitate the sharing of knowledge and promote collaborative learning by encouraging learners to ask questions, share experiences and learn from each other as well as from Combat Stress.
    • Together as a unique learning community we can improve the life experiences for veterans with mental health issues.
    • Our training is based on trauma informed principles and an evidence base.
    • No other health training space has such veteran-focused content or so many armed forces organisations collaborating.
    • We are the trusted home for those who want to learn more about veterans’ mental health.
  • Our Work With Veterans With Dogs

OUR TRAINING

Our certified training includes:

LEARNING COMMUNITY

Military Awareness & Sensitivity

This training has been designed to challenge common perceptions about the military community, many of which are unhelpful and can lead to misconceptions and prejudices.

The military community has long been subject to a range of stereotypes and
assumptions, some of which can be harmful and untrue. This course aim to break
down these misconceptions and help people better understand the military
community.

Trauma & PTSD

Our Trauma and PTSD training provides a comprehensive overview of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, exploring its impact on the brain, families, and individuals. You will learn practical strategies to support those with PTSD, addressing complexities like Complex PTSD, Vicarious Traumatization, and Moral Injury. This training aims to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the multifaceted challenges
associated with Trauma and PTSD and its broader impact on individuals and
communities.

Military Focused Mental Wellbeing

This training package is dedicated to exploring mental health with a military focus. It aims to provide valuable insights into how mental health issues affect veterans and their unique experiences. By understanding the similarities and differences between veterans and other populations, you will develop a culturally competent approach that enables you to better meet the needs of your veteran clients.

The training addresses several key aspects, including the significance of early
adversity in relation to experiencing low mental wellbeing. Moreover, the
training will delve into the experiences of veterans who may be mentally unwell
because of military service, unrelated to combat experiences or operational
deployments.

You can also learn about the Veterans Mental Health Awareness Standard and guidance on how to complete the Self-Assessment Tool.

Suicide Prevention

The Suicide Prevention training prioritises the significance of building and maintaining connections, dispels myths, and educates participants on spotting signs that someone may be considering suicide as an option. It guides individuals in having difficult conversations, knowing when and how to call emergency services, and provides a roadmap to immediate crisis and long-term support resources.

Trauma Informed Organisations

This training looks at what we mean by the term 'trauma' and why it is important for us to take trauma into account, even if our services don't directly address trauma experiences.  We consider what trauma-informed practice is and examples in the workplace. We will encourage you to take a trauma-informed lens to consider practices within your
organisation and your role, and finally we ask you to make a plan to take trauma-informed practice into your workplace.

Safeguarding For All

This training looks at safeguarding for adults and children and, where possible, will make links to how this applies to the veteran community. 

It is important to stress that safeguarding is safeguarding, and risk is risk regardless of an individual's cultural background (in this case, experience of serving in the armed forces). However, cultural competence is important, and this training will seek to ensure that you are aware of:

  • Your basic responsibilities.
  • How a family with a military background may experience risk.
  • How to respond to disclosures or concerns. 

Transitions of Care and Support: Warm Handovers

This training centres on warm handovers; a supported transition of care or support into a new service. The word transition is strongly associated with the adjustment from military to civilian life. Here we are focusing on a beneficiary transitioning between services and organisations. 

During the training, we will look at how we facilitate effective transitions and how we can be prepared for the challenges that transitions bring.  We use a trauma-informed lens, to support safer transitions of care or support for beneficiaries, staff and our communities. 

Domestic Abuse

The Domestic Abuse training addresses critical topics to enhance awareness and intervention strategies. You will gain insights into recognizing the signs and understanding
the various forms it can take. The training incorporates the Duluth Power and Control Wheel, offering a structured framework to identify and comprehend the dynamics of power and control within abusive relationships. Additionally, it explores the nuances of Domestic Abuse in Diverse Relationships and explains the Homicide Timeline underscoring the gravity of the issue, emphasizing the importance of timely and effective intervention to prevent potential tragedies. This training will also help you understand the available resources for victims and survivors, crucial to creating safer services for veterans and their families.

Women Veterans & Gender Sensitive Services

Female veterans have historically been a minority group in the military, but their numbers have been increasing over the years. Despite this, their experiences have often been overlooked and they have faced unique challenges in their military careers and in their transition to civilian life. These challenges can include issues related to combat exposure, sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.

Research conducted by Combat Stress has shown that female veterans potentially have higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and symptoms of anxiety and depression. This highlights the importance of understanding the unique experiences of female veterans and tailoring mental health support accordingly.

Here we will introduce and explore the experiences of female veterans in the UK. We will examine the challenges they face and how we can work towards a better understanding of their needs.

LGBT+ Sensitivity and Empowerment

This course gives an overview of the Pride in Veterans Standard (PiVS), a programme provided to organisations from Fighting With Pride - the LGBT+ military charity, that allows organisations to be proactive in demonstrating their inclusion and support for LGBT+ Veterans.

IN ADDITION TO THE LEARNING COMMUNITY THE LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY RECEIVE ACCESS TO THE FOLLOWING COURSES:

LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY

Leading Safer Services

This training has been developed for leaders and managers to help you develop safer services in your own organisation. During the training, you will explore six individual courses, highlighting:
• Setting the scene
• Being an authentic leader
• Building safety through processes and policies
• Setting boundaries
• Creating safety in teams
• Building safe networks and pathways

Safeguarding for Leaders

During this training, you will explore five individual courses, highlighting:
• An introduction to safeguarding (in two parts)
• Learning lessons the easy way.
• Managing organisational change.
• Embedding best practice.
• Evaluating safeguarding practice.

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OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY

Our Learning Community is a vibrant inclusive space for learners to come together to engage with the subject matter experts and each other.

Learners use the online community to ask questions, share their experience, knowledge and expertise.  This is a truly unique learning experience which simulates the most effective classroom setting.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR LEARNING PLATFORM?

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