Poppyscotland grants £25,000 to Combat Stress to fund Scottish Highlands Community Psychiatric Nurse

Poppyscotland has granted Combat Stress £25,000 to fund our Community Psychiatric Nurse in the Scottish Highlands, ensuring veterans in the region will continue to receive the specialist mental health treatment they need.

The Community Psychiatric Nurse supports veterans from all services and conflicts with complex mental health issues as a result of military-related trauma.

Last year she delivered 88 appointments to veterans living in the Highlands. Due to the pandemic, support was delivered online or over the phone in one-to-one sessions or through psycho-educational groups that helped educate veterans on topics including anxiety, depression, sleep, trauma, substance misuse and anger management.

For veterans who require more intensive treatment, the Community Psychiatric Nurse will act as a link to our Scotland treatment hubs, where veterans can access the most appropriate treatment provided by psychiatrists, psychologists, substance misuse nurses, occupational therapists and art therapists.

Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, said: “We’re extremely thankful to Poppyscotland for their generous support.

“Over the years, our community services in Scotland have proven to be both life-changing and lifesaving. This donation will ensure that veterans in the Highlands with complex mental health problems continue to get the specialist support they need.”