PTSD Resolution annual conference - you should have been there...

PTSD Resolution held its annual conference on Saturday 12th October 2013, and on the same day it was featured a number of times on BBC TV: see some clips on the BBC and also here

To see more TV clips and catch up with the latest news and media exposure for Resolution see our Facebook page.

Tony Gauvain, Chairman of PTSD Resolution, opened the conference and highlighted the fact that 419 referrals had received treatment to date, and we are currently taking on two new referrals a week. The direction for the coming year is to gain membership of COBSEO; to be accredited by PSA through the Human Givens Institute; and to compete for tenders with CCGs.

Bill Andrews presented the latest evidence of HG and PTSD Resolution’s effectiveness. Bill's slide presentation can be seen here or Bill will talk you through it here and here This presentation is extraordinarily useful to anyone who wants to understand how Resolution works and what sort of results are being achieved for our veterans.

Extracts from Chris Terrill’s TV series Battle Scarred preceded a discussion to explore the nature of Veterans’ trauma and whether there is a case for the Justice system to take more account of the effects when determining sentence. A better balance needs to be found between maintaining the deterrent of prison and providing opportunity for treatment and reduced sentencing.

An extract from an interview with Tom and Sue at his 'Shaveathon' led into a discussion about the impact on families living with traumatised Veterans. Wendy Houghton from Families of the Brave and Linda Hoggan who has created a parenting programme ‘Just What We Need’ led the discussion. A major conclusion was that service families will benefit from better and more trauma awareness training to learn how to recognise, understand, and manage the impact of trauma.

Martin Smith gave a presentation on Mindfulness and how it can take over from where the heavy-duty business of trauma therapy comes to an end.

Dr. Robin Bennet, a clinical psychologist with a special interest in trauma, particularly in childhood, gave a fascinating insight into the effects of trauma on the brain before and after treatment.

Carly Raby then presented a complex case study which illustrated many of the complications Robin had been describing and opened up for the audience how Resolution can take on the hardest of cases, thanks to the expertise of its therapists.

Piers Bishop concluded with an exhortation to generate funds, especially on 5 December via the Big Give

Emma and her Husky up a mountain or 3 I'm walking the Yorkshire 3 Peaks for PTSD Resolution because PTSD needs more recognition

http://www.justgiving.com/Huskyupamountainor3 

Emma and her Husky up a mountain or 3

I'm walking the Yorkshire 3 Peaks for PTSD Resolution because PTSD needs more recognition

3 and a Husky

We've joined together to raise money for charity. You'll see our team fundraising target on the right. Your donation can really help us smash this goal  https://www.justgiving.com/teams/3andahusky

Jim & Jake raising cash

Jim & Jake raising cash for PTSD RESOLUTION

I'm doing the 3 peaks with my son jake for PTSD Resolution because they require help http://www.justgiving.com/Jim-Dagless

The ‘Shadow’ Population of Forces’ Veterans who suffer PTSD without Help

Many UK armed forces’ veterans are suffering from the effects of military trauma but are going without any official diagnosis or help, according to a new survey.

Unknown and untreated, this ‘shadow’ population receives no appropriate medical or counselling support, says charity PTSD Resolution - www.ptsdgive.co.uk. These veterans may number as many as are diagnosed with PTSD through the NHS and healthcare organisations for former servicemen and women.

The latest findings are from a new survey by charity PTSD Resolution, and are a major concern for security industry and other employers.

The charity has a national network of 200 counsellors to help forces’ veterans suffering from military trauma. Resolution successfully treats eight out ten veterans who complete its programme of counselling, it says, but has been turned down for support by Government, NHS and the established forces’ charities and is running out of funds from voluntary donations, says Piers Bishop, director of counselling.

Key findings of the survey are:-

1.     Half of respondents suffering from the symptoms of military trauma – which include nightmares, flashbacks and episodes of anger or terror – have no diagnosis of PTSD, whilst the other half do.

2.     The distribution of symptoms is the same in the diagnosed and undiagnosed groups: they appear to be suffering to the same degree. So in the case of those with a diagnosis, treatment has either not been provided or has not worked effectively

3.     The undiagnosed group have suffered symptoms for an average of 15 years. Many have had meetings with medical practitioners but still never received a diagnosis or an offer of treatment. They are more likely to drink above guideline levels, and to have a diagnosis of alcohol dependency

4.     The PTSD diagnosed group are highly likely to have other diagnoses, generally for depression and other anxiety disorders

5.     All those with either a diagnosis or with probable PTSD are significantly more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those veterans with a sub-clinical level of post-traumatic stress.

Piers Bishop assesses the results of the survey:

“ The diagnosed group are persistent enough, or have social support, or have sufficiently severe symptoms to get a diagnosis of PTSD. The second group may not wish to acknowledge they have a problem perhaps, or do not have social support to go through the pathways to diagnosis: some we have found do not leave their room, or just find it easier or less frightening or humiliating to go to the pub, and attempt to self-manage their symptoms with alcohol.”

There is a population of veterans that are desperate for help with the effects of trauma, concludes Bishop: disturbingly, even the help that is available is often inadequate

“ Unlike with the PTSD support generally available to veterans, PTSD Resolution can offer help that is fast, with an average of just five counselling sessions required on an outpatient basis. No referrals are needed. We’re a very lean organisation: there are no salaried staff or premises. But our funds are running out and the future is very uncertain for the charity - and the veterans we have yet to help.”

The PTSD Resolution survey received completed replies from 472 respondents. The survey can be found at www.ptsdresolution.org/survey.html. It included an IES-E, a self-rating scale for post-traumatic stress.

For further information: PTSD Resolution www.ptsdgive.co.uk. Tel 0845 021 7873. e-mail sb@ptsdresolution.org

The BBC Panorama Programme (BBC One, 15 July) highlights the terrible consequences of  military trauma for our forces’ veterans and the deficiencies of current support in the UK.

PTSD Resolution is the only charity – the only organisation nationally - in the UK to provide counselling to veterans and reservists and then publish the clinical results.  It is the only care provider with a proven record of success, at 78 per cent, (defined as where, for those who complete the programme, both the counsellor and counselled state that no further treatment is required).

Despite this record of success, Government and the NHS refuse to acknowledge or support PTSD Resolution, and the charity has to rely on donations from the public. Moreover, the charity has been refused membership to UK services’ charity organisation COBSEO, and therefore access to mainstream charitable funding without any satisfactory explanation.

PTSD Resolution offers exceptional value for money too. The cost per treatment is £400 – this compares with the cost by the largest charity in the sector which is as high as £25,000 per treatment (from analysis of the records registered with the Charity Commissioners, as no results’ data are published).

PTSD Resolution meets all the requirements of the Veterans Pathway, NICE guidelines and other national clinical and care standards - and meets many unmet veterans’ needs:-

1.    The PTSD Resolution national outreach programme has over 200 counsellors.  It is private, confidential, local, and one-to-one. No referral is needed, so reducing any sense of stigma. Counselling is brief and effective – an average of five out-patient sessions are required.

2.    PTSD Resolution treats veterans who cannot be seen by other care providers because, for example, they have alcohol or drug problems, are on the sex-offenders' register, or are in prison.  At Resolution there is no such bar on providing help.

3.    The ex-military prison population with post-traumatic symptoms is in particular need of help. This is because prison medical services do not generally employ specialist psychological trauma therapists on their staff. Resolution can go into prisons to help veterans – but there is no national recognition of Resolution by the prison authorities or Home Office, which restricts availability.

4.    The counselling methodology of Resolution is a form of Trauma-Focussed CBT. It is therefore entirely compatible with the NICE guideline on PTSD treatment. It therefore could be, but is not made available through GP Primary Care, hospital referral or other NHS networks. 

The methodology and organisation of Resolution are fully open to independent inspection and further validation. We welcome the opportunity to work with any Government, COBSE or NHS-related organisation.

Most of all Resolution requires fair access to funding, including the many millions of pounds that are channelled through COBSEO and the NHS to other service charities and care providers, but without any supporting evidence by them that their treatment works; or the percentage of veterans that are effectively treated; or any demonstration of value for money..

From:-

Colonel Anthony de Gauvain (Retired)

Chairman, PTSD Resolution, charity (No. 1133188)

www.ptsdresolution.org

Woolwich

The terrible event at Woolwich reminds us starkly of the mental as well as physical trauma to which our forces' personnel are exposed. For those who are injured, and those who serve along side them and their families, the trauma can last sometimes a lifetime.

Our work at PTSD Resolution is to counsel those veterans who are affected by military trauma. The alternative for them is often extreme daily anguish, nightmares, even substance abuse and family breakdown. And worse.

Nearly 8 out of 10 times - in 78 per cent of cases - we achieve an  effective resolution - so that the counsellor and counselled believe that no further help is required, after an average of five one sessions. They can go on to lead normal work and family lives, like you and me.

To achieve this the charity needs money, frankly. We get no Government, NHS of H4H funding.
We counsel each veteran at a cost per treatment of £373.  The main charity in the military mental health area treats veterans at an average cost per treatment of £2,836. But we are the only charity that reports on its results.

All our money is used to pay and manage our counsellors network. We have no salaried staff or assets, not so much as a stapler. All Trustees are volunteers.
Help us if you can , or just tell people about what we do.

Thank you - http://www.ptsdresolution.org/