Organisations working with veterans

If you are a member of an organisation employing veterans, you will already have a great deal of knowledge and familiarity with the veteran(s) you support in your workplace. Some of you will already have veterans’ networks within your structures and strong links to HR and Occupational Health, with access to mental health treatment and support that are veteran friendly. 

As a result, you will have acquired a strong sense of the conditions which allow your veteran colleagues to thrive. Have confidence in this insight. Reflect on how you can support your veteran employees to do more of what they have found to be helpful and less of what is not, based on prior experiences.  

Here are some additional strategies to consider. As this resource is aimed at a wide readership, please pick the strategies that are possible and practical given your unique working relationship with the veterans engaging with your organisation. The terms ‘veteran colleague’ and ‘veteran participant’ have been used to reflect this range of readership.   

 

 

Step 1: Normalise emotional reactions and provide reassurance and empathy 

• Reassure and normalise that the experience and expression of different emotions is a healthy response to the current crisis, either in person or remotely if required.  

Here are some suggestions of phrases you can use/adapt to convey these qualities:  

• Ask about the support available to the veteran in his home, whether he or she are alone, or sharing a house or have a family with them to support of have support from.  
• Talk openly about challenges: “This is uncharted territory…” 
• Empathise: “What you’re going through sounds really tough, thank you for sharing this with me” 
• Offer your help and support: “How can I/we best support you? What needs to happen for you to feel more at ease? What has helped you in the past?” 
• Reassure: “I’m here to support you, we’ll find a way through together” 
• Consider and check in regarding confidentiality of information shared and organisational needs regarding employee wellbeing and record keeping  

 

 

Step 2: Provide information and self-care advice during lockdown 

Establish new routines 

Military life is very structured, and many report that creating a daily routine is helpful in the transition to civilian life. Life at the moment means that we are all grappling with new demands. Encourage your veteran colleague/participant to establish a new routine that involves a balanced mix of activities, including those that provide: 

• A sense of achievement 
• Enjoyment 
• Social contact 
• A fresh focus on physical health including healthy nutrition, regular sleep, hydration, minimal alcohol use and daily exercise. Time out from screens is also important.  
• Time to keep the living environment clean and tidy, in the same way as in military life, is also important when we are spending more time at home.  

If your veteran colleague/participant is struggling, encouraging him/her to write a plan every evening for the following day - even it’s only 4/5 things – to provide a purpose upon waking and a sense of satisfaction when completed. Doing this can make the day pass faster and contributes to feelings of wellbeing.  

The work environment at home 

• Guide your veteran employee to set up a healthy work environment. Assist him/her to aim for a well set-up work-station, with appropriate chair, desk of suitable height, keyboard mouse and monitor if they are using a laptop. 

 

Encourage social interaction with colleagues/peers  

• Consider establishing peer support via a buddy system. Regular check-ins using video call, phone, text or email can prevent isolation, allow the opportunity to give and receive encouragement, and reinforce the sense of team working /wellbeing in this challenging time. 
• We each choose jobs and adapt our work environment to suit our needs. Some people might be relishing working from home, valuing a greater senses predictability, remote working and less environmental input. In contrast, others may find they miss the work environment with its continuous changes and input from colleagues. They may find it more challenging to stay motivated and productive and find that they become more anxious or low due to the loss of these. Asking your veteran colleague about this aspect can promote a useful discussion.  

 

Focus on what can be controlled  

• Much of the current situation is outside of our immediate control. Reorienting attention on to what can be influenced, rather than focussing on what can’t, is a wise strategy for all of us at this time. Developing compassion for ourselves when we don’t achieve as much as we’d like to and talking to ourselves kindly is important. Reminding your team that this crisis will end and encouraging them to make plans for the future after the crisis, can provide a helpful shift in focus.  

 

 

Step 3: Be alert for possible signs of mental health problems 

Do be alert to possible signs of mental health distress, including: 

• Appearing more anxious / ‘on edge’  
• Seeming more withdrawn than usual  
• More prone to irritability or anger  
• Lower in mood than usual  
• Little interest in doing things  
• Reports lethargy/fatigue or trouble relaxing or sleeping  
• Greater self-criticism or a sense of hopelessness  
• Trouble concentrating  
• Reporting using alcohol or substances more often to cope  

If your veteran colleague/participant is showing any of these or other signs that cause you concern, aim to have an open conversation. Discuss the advantages of seeking extra support to promote mental fitness at this time. We have developed an extensive library of online self-help resources for veterans to offer specific support for COVID-19 mental health issues. Please do signpost veterans to our website to access these 24/7, free of charge:  

• https://www.combatstress.org.uk/mental-health-support-during-covid-19 

 

 

Step 4: Signpost to mental health support services 

If you have concerns about your veteran colleague/participants’ emotional wellbeing, encourage him or her to speak to their GP and seek a referral for appropriate psychological support.