Veteran soldiers who struggle in civilian life with mental health illness will benefit from a new programme run by a psychologist and former guardsman.

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The Veterans' Stabilisation Programme will launch later this month, and will be run by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust clinical psychologist Dr Roger Kingerlee and former soldier Luke Woodley.

It consists of 16 two-hour group sessions for eight former members of the armed forces, with specialist treatment provided to improve their psychological and emotional skills.

The programme is highly necessary, according to Mr Woodley, who branded previous mental health treatment services available in Norfolk as 'broken and fragmented'.

Dr Kingerlee said: 'Whether it's dealing with flashbacks, traumatic thoughts, managing your environment more effectively, sleep patterns, or relationship problems, we will talk about processes to help with the adjustment back into civilian life.

'At the end of the programme we hope at the very least that people will feel more empowered to do what they want.'

The treatment will focus on helping veterans improve the control of their minds, to stop the person from thinking about dark traumas or memories from time spent in the army.

'It's about encouraging veterans to take ownership of their condition,' Mr Woodley said. 'But to do that there has to be an acceptance of the problem in the first place.

'Hopefully the programme will grow.'

The programme is open to all veterans with mental health problems, and referral can be either through the trust's Wellbeing Service or a GP.

For more information on the scheme call 01953 611000.

Have you got a health story? Email nicholas.carding@archant.co.uk