RAF veteran Mandy Small, from Rendlesham in Suffolk, served in the RAF as a dog handler. <\/p>\n
She did two tours of Iraq where she was injured in a mortar blast which knocked her out of an observation tower on to the concrete below.<\/p>\n
She said she had experienced mental health issues and had had support from the NSFT and was part of the new group. <\/p>\n
“It’s important for everyone, whether male or female, to have a safe space -somewhere that they feel comfortable enough to be able to open up,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I hope these new drop-ins will encourage more people who are struggling to come forward, so they realise they are not alone going through their issues.” <\/p>\n
Ms Small said the prevalence of sexual assault within the armed forces was a barrier to women taking part in support services for veterans. <\/p>\n
She said: “So many people are still living with the trauma of this, and they have only just been given a voice. <\/p>\n
“Women-only groups are so important as people don’t always feel confident enough to discuss this in front of men.” <\/p>\n
The NSFT provides NHS mental health services across Norfolk and Suffolk, but its new service is available to veterans across the wider Eastern region including Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Essex and Hertfordshire.<\/p>\n
Veterans can register for the new service via the NSFT website, external<\/a>.<\/p>\n The plan is to expand the service in the autumn for members who have a mental health issue and need more clinical support. <\/p>\n