Written question WQ86241

Traumatic Stress Wales is funded by Welsh Government (£1.2milion annually) and aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people of all ages living in Wales at risk of developing or with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Traumatic Stress Wales are working with people with lived experience, as well as colleagues across the public and voluntary sectors, to ​improve access to effective and evidence-based therapies for people who have experienced traumatic events. The work of Traumatic Stress Wales is underpinned by a number of different workstreams – focussing on sexual assault, criminal justice, people seeking sanctuary, perinatal, adults, young people, and assessment and outcomes.

The workstream on people seeking sanctuary in Wales has been developed to improve access to high quality mental health support for forced migrants who have experienced traumatic events. Materials have been translated and shared with stakeholders via the Traumatic Stress Wales website to support mental health, wellbeing and initial stabilisation for people seeking sanctuary in Wales.

Armed Forces veterans with PTSD can access Veterans’ NHS Wales. This is the only service in the UK providing specialised, priority service for individuals who have served in the Armed Forces, at any time in their lives and who are experiencing mental health difficulties related specifically to their military service.

Veterans’ NHS Wales operates an open access policy, accepting referrals from veterans themselves and referrals made on their behalf from family members, statutory and non-statutory services.

The CALL Mental Health Helpline is also available to support people with PTSD in Wales and their families.