In a heartwarming recognition of their tireless efforts and dedication, North-East charity Anxious Minds has been awarded a prestigious accolade for its exceptional support to veterans and their families. This remarkable achievement not only highlights the vital work being done by the charity but also shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by those who have served our country and their loved ones.

The award, presented by the Armed Forces Covenant , recognises organisations that go above and beyond in their support of the veteran community. Anxious Minds was selected from a competitive field of nominees, with the judges citing the charity’s innovative programmes, personalised approach, and demonstrable impact on the lives of veterans and their families as key factors in their decision.

The Award

At a glittering ceremony held in North East, representatives from Anxious Minds took to the stage to receive the award. The charity’s founder, Edward Dean, visibly moved by the recognition, dedicated the award to the veterans and their families who have shown immense courage in seeking help and to the tireless volunteers and staff who make the charity’s work possible.

Anxious Minds Journey

Founded in 2015, Anxious Minds has grown from a small, local initiative to a significant force in mental health support across the North-East. While the charity initially focused on general anxiety and depression support, it soon became apparent that there was a pressing need for specialised services for veterans and their families.

In 2017, Anxious Minds launched its Veterans Support Programme, a tailored initiative designed to address the unique mental health challenges faced by former service personnel. The programme was developed in close consultation with veterans themselves, ensuring that it truly met their needs and addressed the specific issues they face.

Over the years, the Veterans Support Programme has evolved and expanded, now encompassing a range of services including one-to-one counselling, group therapy sessions and family support workshops. The charity has also developed partnerships with local employers to help veterans transition back into civilian work life, recognising the important role that meaningful employment can play in mental wellbeing.

The Impact on Veterans

The impact of Anxious Minds work on the veteran community has been profound. John Thompson, a former Royal Marine who accessed the charity’s services, shared his experience: “When I left the Marines, I felt lost. The transition to civilian life was harder than I ever imagined, and I found myself struggling with anxiety and depression. Anxious Minds was a lifeline for me. They understood what I was going through in a way that no one else seemed to. With their support, I’ve been able to rebuild my life and find a new sense of purpose.”

John’s story is far from unique. The charity has supported hundreds of veterans like him, helping them navigate the complex emotional terrain of post-service life. From dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to managing the everyday stresses of civilian life, Anxious Minds has been there every step of the way.

One of the key strengths of the charity’s approach has been its recognition that every veteran’s experience is unique. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, Anxious Minds works closely with each individual to develop a personalised support plan. This might include a combination of talking therapies, peer support groups and practical assistance with issues like housing or employment.

Supporting Families

Crucially, Anxious Minds support extends beyond the veterans themselves to encompass their families as well. The charity recognises that when a service member struggles with mental health issues, the impact ripples out to affect their loved ones too.

Sarah Williams, whose husband served in the Army for 15 years, described how Anxious Minds helped her family: “When my husband came home from his last tour, he wasn’t the same person. He was withdrawn, irritable, and struggled to connect with the kids. I felt like I was losing him, and I didn’t know how to help. The family support programme at Anxious Minds was a game-changer for us. They helped us understand what he was going through and gave us tools to communicate better. It’s brought our family closer together and helped us navigate this challenging time.”

The charity’s family support programme includes counselling, addction support workshops tailored to the unique challenges faced by military families, and support groups for spouses and children of veterans. By taking this holistic approach, Anxious Minds ensures that the entire family unit is supported, recognising that strong family relationships are often key to a veteran’s recovery and reintegration into civilian life.

Innovative Approaches

One of the factors that set Anxious Minds apart, and which was specifically mentioned in the award citation, is their innovative use of technology and alternative therapies in supporting veterans and their families.

Recognising that traditional talk therapy isn’t always the best fit for everyone, the charity has introduced a range of alternative options. These include art therapy sessions, which allow veterans to express and process their experiences through creative means, and outdoor adventure therapy, which combines physical challenges with psychological support in a natural environment.

Community Integration

Beyond providing direct support to veterans and their families, Anxious Minds has also played a crucial role in promoting better understanding and integration of veterans within the wider community.

The charity regularly organises community events and awareness campaigns to educate the public about the challenges faced by veterans and the valuable skills and experiences they bring to civilian life. These initiatives have helped to break down barriers and misconceptions, fostering a more supportive environment for veterans in the North-East.

Anxious Minds has also worked closely with local businesses, providing training on how to support veteran employees and advocating for veteran-friendly hiring practices. This work has opened up new employment opportunities for veterans in the region and has helped to ease the often-difficult transition from military to civilian work life.

Challenges and Future Plans

Despite their success, Anxious Minds acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. The demand for their services continues to grow, reflecting both the ongoing need for mental health support among veterans and the increasing awareness and reduced stigma around seeking help.

One of the main challenges the charity faces is securing sustainable funding to meet this growing demand. Anxious Minds continues to rely heavily on grants, donations and the tireless work of volunteers to deliver its services.

Looking to the future, the charity has ambitious plans to expand its reach and impact. These include:

Establishing offices in other parts of the North-East to make their services more accessible to veterans in rural areas.
Developing a training programme for other mental health professionals on the specific needs of veterans and military families.
Expanding their employment support programme, including the establishment of a social enterprise that would provide transitional employment opportunities for veterans.
Launching a research initiative in partnership with local universities to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on veteran mental health and effective support strategies.
Developing a mentorship programme where veterans who have successfully navigated the transition to civilian life can support those who are just beginning that journey.

The Broader Context

The recognition of Anxious Minds work comes at a crucial time, as awareness grows about the mental health challenges faced by veterans. Recent studies have highlighted the higher rates of depression, anxiety and PTSD among former service personnel compared to the general population. The transition from military to civilian life can be a particularly vulnerable time, with many veterans struggling to adjust to the loss of structure, purpose and camaraderie that military service provided.

Moreover, the impact of recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan has brought these issues into sharper focus. Many veterans returning from these long-running, complex conflicts have faced multiple deployments and exposure to traumatic events, increasing their risk of developing mental health issues.

The work of charities like Anxious Minds is therefore more important than ever. By providing specialised, understanding support, they play a crucial role in helping veterans and their families navigate these challenges and build fulfilling lives post-service.

The Role of the Community

The success of Anxious Minds is not just a testament to the hard work of its staff and volunteers, but also to the supportive community in the North-East. Local businesses, community groups and individuals have all played a part in supporting the charity’s work, whether through fundraising efforts, offering pro-bono services, or simply spreading awareness of the support available.

This community involvement is crucial, as it helps to create a more supportive environment for veterans beyond the direct services provided by the charity. It sends a powerful message that veterans are valued members of the community and that their wellbeing is a collective responsibility.

A Model for Others

The success of Anxious Minds in supporting veterans and their families provides a valuable model for other organisations across the UK and beyond. Their holistic approach, which combines direct mental health support with practical assistance and community integration efforts, offers a blueprint for effective veteran support.

The charity’s willingness to innovate and adapt their services based on feedback from the veterans themselves is particularly noteworthy. This responsive, user-centred approach ensures that the support provided truly meets the needs of those it aims to help.

As the challenge of supporting veterans’ mental health continues to evolve, organisations like Anxious Minds will play a crucial role in developing and implementing effective solutions. Their work not only changes individual lives but also contributes to our broader understanding of how best to support those who have served our country.

Conclusion

The award bestowed upon Anxious Minds is a well-deserved recognition of their outstanding work in supporting veterans and their families. It shines a light on the vital role that specialised mental health support plays in helping former service personnel transition to civilian life and manage the psychological impacts of their military service.

However, this award is not just a celebration of past achievements, but a call to action for the future. It highlights the ongoing need for dedicated support for veterans and their families, and the importance of community involvement in providing this support.

As Anxious Minds continues to grow and evolve, their work serves as an inspiration and a challenge to us all. It reminds us of our collective responsibility to support those who have served our country, and shows what can be achieved when a community comes together to address complex social and health issues.

The story of Anxious Minds is one of compassion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to those in need. As they accept this award, they do so not just on behalf of their organisation, but on behalf of every veteran and family member they have supported, and every volunteer and donor who has made their work possible.

In the words of Edward Dean, as he accepted the award: “This recognition belongs to every veteran who has had the courage to seek help, every family member who has stood by them and every member of our community who has supported our work. Together, we are making a difference, and together, we will continue to ensure that no veteran faces their challenges alone.”