This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29430173

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
£1m scheme to help veterans deal with post traumatic stress Support scheme for veterans with post traumatic stress expands
(about 1 hour later)
A support service for veterans suffering post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be rolled out across Wales thanks to a £1m grant. A support service for veterans suffering post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is to be be rolled out across Wales.
Change Step uses former service personnel to help others with mental health issues, loneliness, welfare or addiction problems.Change Step uses former service personnel to help others with mental health issues, loneliness, welfare or addiction problems.
It was started in 2012 by Llandudno-based drug and alcohol charity CAIS.It was started in 2012 by Llandudno-based drug and alcohol charity CAIS.
It will now be expanded across Wales after the Armed Forces Covenant (Libor) Fund gave a grant to the scheme. It will now be expanded across Wales after the Armed Forces Covenant (Libor) Fund gave £1m to the scheme.
It is thought around 4% of military veterans suffer some kind of mental health crisis, as a result of serving in a combat zone. It is thought around 4% of military veterans suffer some kind of mental health crisis, as a result of serving in a combat zone. In Wales, there were 300 referrals for help from the charity in just five months.
The project sees volunteers befriend former service personnel to help them address substance misuse problems or PTSD.The project sees volunteers befriend former service personnel to help them address substance misuse problems or PTSD.
What is PTSD?
Originally launched at Hightown Barracks, Wrexham, where the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers are based, the new national service will be delivered by members of the Drug and Alcohol Charities Wales consortium.
Clive Wolfendale, chief executive of CAIS, said he expected the number of referrals for help from the service to rise.
He said: "Veterans accessing the service have given so much for their country, but quite often feel forgotten about and disconnected from society.
"We need to help and reach out to veterans to assist them to re-integrate into their local community and mainstream services."
Last week plans for a home for veterans who struggle to adapt to life when they leave the armed forces was turned down by Carmarthenshire planners.
Case StudyCase Study
Jason Samuels, 43, from Wrexham, developed PTSD after serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps in the first Gulf War.Jason Samuels, 43, from Wrexham, developed PTSD after serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps in the first Gulf War.
For years he struggled to get help and instead turned to alcohol and drugs until he found Change Step in 2013.For years he struggled to get help and instead turned to alcohol and drugs until he found Change Step in 2013.
He says it helped him get his life back and now he helps others do the same.He says it helped him get his life back and now he helps others do the same.
"You're talking person-to-person with somebody like you who knows exactly how you feel and has been through the same experiences," said Mr Samuels."You're talking person-to-person with somebody like you who knows exactly how you feel and has been through the same experiences," said Mr Samuels.
"After a good few months I felt considerably better and before too long I went from being a client to becoming a peer mentor myself in Wrexham. Today I have over 20 clients of my own.""After a good few months I felt considerably better and before too long I went from being a client to becoming a peer mentor myself in Wrexham. Today I have over 20 clients of my own."
Originally launched at Hightown Barracks, Wrexham, where the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers are based, the new national service will be delivered by members of the Drug and Alcohol Charities Wales (DACW) consortium.
Clive Wolfendale, chief executive of CAIS, said the project had received more than 300 referrals from across Wales in just five months, and he expected that number to rise.
He said: "Veterans accessing the service have given so much for their country, but quite often feel forgotten about and disconnected from society.
"We need to help and reach out to veterans to assist them to re-integrate into their local community and mainstream services."
Last week plans for a home for veterans who struggle to adapt to life when they leave the armed forces was turned down by Carmarthenshire planners.