Agenda item

To consider the following motion, submitted by Cllr Edwards, which was referred to the Leader and Cabinet Member for Adults and Health at the meeting of the County Council on 13 December 2019:

‘This Council advocates better treatment of veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and better recognition for those who have died as a result of this disorder. The County Council takes the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and is continually considering how it can better understand the needs of ex-services persons who are suffering from PTSD and provide the best possible support.

In this country there is a National Memorial Arboretum to commemorate those who have given their lives in the service of our country. Families are able to spend time there remembering their loved ones. Every name, in one place, a calm, respectful space, where people can reflect and honour these heroes. However, those veterans who have taken their own lives, succumbing to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by combat, are not remembered at the National Memorial Arboretum.

This Council believes that this must change. These service personnel have given their all in their service for our country and in many cases have been medically discharged from service because of the trauma they have seen and taken part in.  Subsequently, as civilians, they take their own life and therefore are recognised as combat related casualties.

This Council calls upon the Leader of the Council and the Armed Forces Champion to:

(1)        Lobby the Ministry of Defence to provide a fitting memorial to those who have served and ultimately succumbed to PTSD;

(2)        Continue to work with partners through the West Sussex Civilian Military Partnership Board to improve the lives of veterans and promote the services available to them with particular emphasis on mental health services, including use of the Forces Connect South East App to all staff as a signposting mechanism;

(3)        Encourage staff to undertake Armed Forces Mental Health First Aid training; and

(4)        Work with the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health to ensure that health and wellbeing matters affecting veterans, including PTSD, are recognised in health and wellbeing strategies including the forthcoming refresh of Suicide Prevention Strategy in 2020.’

and the report of the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health.

23.1     At the County Council meeting on 13 December 2019 a motion had been moved by Cllr Edwards, seconded by Cllr Atkins, and referred to the Leader and Cabinet Member for Adults and Health for consideration.

23.2     A revised version of the motion was circulated as set out below (change shown in bold, italic text). Due to technical issues experienced by Cllr Atkins, Cllr Walsh acted as seconder for the revised motion.

23.3     Members noted that the word ‘not’ had been omitted in error from the final line of paragraph 3 which should read ‘not recognised’. A report by the Leader and Cabinet Member was included with the agenda (pages 37 and 38).

‘This Council advocates better treatment of veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and better recognition for those who have died as a result of this disorder. The County Council takes the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and is continually considering how it can better understand the needs of ex-services persons who are suffering from PTSD and provide the best possible support.

In this country there is a National Memorial Arboretum to commemorate those who have given their lives in the service of our country. Families are able to spend time there remembering their loved ones. Every name, in one place, a calm, respectful space, where people can reflect and honour these heroes. However, those veterans who have taken their own lives, succumbing to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by combat, are not remembered at the National Memorial Arboretum.

This Council believes that this must change. These service personnel have given their all in their service for our country and in many cases have been medically discharged from service because of the trauma they have seen and taken part in.  Subsequently, as civilians, they take their own life and therefore are recognised as combat related casualties.

This Council calls upon the Leader of the Council and the Armed Forces Champion to:

(1)         Lobby the Ministry of Defence and other appropriate bodies to provide a fitting memorial to those who have served and ultimately succumbed to PTSD’

(2)         Continue to work with partners through the West Sussex Civilian Military Partnership Board to improve the lives of veterans and promote the services available to them with particular emphasis on mental health services, including use of the Forces Connect South East App to all staff as a signposting mechanism;

(3)         Encourage staff to undertake Armed Forces Mental Health First Aid training; and

(4)         Work with the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health to ensure that health and wellbeing matters affecting veterans, including PTSD, are recognised in health and wellbeing strategies including the forthcoming refresh of Suicide Prevention Strategy in 2020.’

23.4     The revised corrected motion was carried as set out below.

‘This Council advocates better treatment of veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and better recognition for those who have died as a result of this disorder. The County Council takes the wellbeing of all those who have served extremely seriously and is continually considering how it can better understand the needs of ex-services persons who are suffering from PTSD and provide the best possible support.

In this country there is a National Memorial Arboretum to commemorate those who have given their lives in the service of our country. Families are able to spend time there remembering their loved ones. Every name, in one place, a calm, respectful space, where people can reflect and honour these heroes. However, those veterans who have taken their own lives, succumbing to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by combat, are not remembered at the National Memorial Arboretum.

This Council believes that this must change. These service personnel have given their all in their service for our country and in many cases have been medically discharged from service because of the trauma they have seen and taken part in.  Subsequently, as civilians, they take their own life and therefore are notrecognised as combat related casualties.

This Council calls upon the Leader of the Council and the Armed Forces Champion to:

(1)         Lobby the Ministry of Defence and other appropriate bodies to provide a fitting memorial to those who have served and ultimately succumbed to PTSD’

(2)         Continue to work with partners through the West Sussex Civilian Military Partnership Board to improve the lives of veterans and promote the services available to them with particular emphasis on mental health services, including use of the Forces Connect South East App to all staff as a signposting mechanism;

(3)         Encourage staff to undertake Armed Forces Mental Health First Aid training; and

(4)         Work with the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health to ensure that health and wellbeing matters affecting veterans, including PTSD, are recognised in health and wellbeing strategies including the forthcoming refresh of Suicide Prevention Strategy in 2020.’