Health&Wellbeing | 41 helped with initiativesrun
To date this year,the RAF’s leading welfare charity has received almost 300 enquiries for its Listening, Counselling and Wellbeing Service as well as those wishing to access help via Anxiety UK and Cruse Bereavement Care.
It is thought that one in four people will experience acommon mental health illness, such as anxiety or depression, at some stage in their lives. Many do not seek the help they need, with only a quarter of those diagnosed going on to receive treatment.
“I had afear of where to start. Ispent along time in denial.”
Research carried out by the Fund in 2015, highlighted the need for more mental wellbeing support for the wider RAF Family, including veterans and dependants of those who serve.
People like Sally, a Reservist in the RAF, who contacted Anxiety UK, for support with depression.
Sally said: “There is still a stigma around mental illness. I knew deep down something was wrong but I did not want to start that fi rst conversation, I had a fear of where to start. I spent a long time in denial. You have to trust your family or a loved one and talk about it. My other half was adamant that things could not be left as they were any longer but I had to be pushed to get help. I thought I was coping but I wasn’t.
“Without the therapy sessions I would be in a far worse situation and I would encourage others to please seek help if they feel they are not coping and talk to someone about how they are feeling.”
The Fund’s partnership with Anxiety UK includes therapy provision for those experiencing anxiety and/or depression (only available for non-serving applicants, serving personnel should contact their Station Medical Offi cer in the fi rst instance) and subsidised annual membership to Anxiety UK.
The RAF Benevolent Fund also works in partnership with Cruse Bereavement Care to offer support for those dealing with the loss of a loved one, including face-to-face and telephone counselling sessions. Information of which can be found on the RAF Benevolent Fund’s website.
As well as this, the Listening, Counselling and Wellbeing Service provides confidential emotional support to help the RAF Family deal with arange of issues from issues from low mood and stress to low self-esteem and loneliness or isolation due to caring. The service includes telephone and face-to-face counselling sessions, home visits are available.
Contact
If you need support with your mental wellbeing contact 0300 222 5703 and
support@rafbf.org.uk where you will be referred to the service best equipped to support you or go online:
rafbf.org/how-we-help/serving-raf-community/emotional- support
by the RAF Benevolent Fund Hundreds
raf-ff.org.uk |Autumn 2018 | ENVOY
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