Military Veterans’ Service launches a new approach to psychological wellbeing

The NHS Military Veterans' Service for Greater Manchester and Lancashire

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The NHS Military Veterans' Service for Greater Manchester and Lancashire has launched three new innovative online programmes utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to enhance their psychological therapy service.

The therapeutic programmes on offer have been developed by the Anglo-Finnish enterprise, Headsted, and comprise of the following packages:

• Hold Your Nerve – a seven week intervention to manage anxiety
• Value Your Self – a six week intervention to manage low mood
• Shift Your Stress – a five week intervention to cope with workplace stress

ACT is an evidenced-based therapeutic intervention that has evolved from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It uses metaphors and experiential exercises to aid in dealing with persistent negative thoughts and emotions, and in focusing on the present moment. ACT incorporates mindfulness exercises and emphasises living life according to one’s values.

The Military Veterans' Service, hosted by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust provides psychological support to ex-armed forces personnel who are experiencing a range of difficulties. The service has been offering ACT to its clients for some time. The introduction of the ACT online packages will now further enable client choice and improved accessibility. This is also in recognition that a section of clients prefer to engage with care services on a remote basis.

Headsted is led by Professor Raimo Lappalainen (University of Jyväskylä) and the company is seeing growing global interest in their delivery of ACT online. Dr Kirsikka Kaipainen, Headsted’s CEO, commented: “We are very excited to give our backing to this excellent service reaching out and supporting Military Veterans with our online programmes”.

The expert team of psychological therapists and case managers is overseen by Dr Alan Barrett; a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, who stated: “This service development is part of our commitment to continually work to improve access, engagement, and treatment for those in need. There are undoubtedly veterans who may benefit from support but do not currently access services. The flexibility provided by the online programmes complements our existing assessment and treatment practices. It gives clients greater choice and control over when and how they utilise psychological therapies, and helps us to continue to provide a high quality service to veterans”.