Please be aware that this clip contains battle scenes and loud noises!
“They fight our wars. We fight their battles.”
Karen Miles Bsc (Hons)

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Combat Stress is the UK's leading military charity specialising in the care of Veterans' mental health.
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We look after men and women who are suffering from a psychological condition related to their Service career. This might be depression, anxiety, a phobia or PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder). Our services are free of charge to the Veteran.
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Since 2005 the number of ex-Service men and women seeking our help has risen by 72%. We have a current caseload of more than
4,600 individuals – including 168 Afghanistan and 533 Iraq
Veterans.
There are currently only 3 treatment centres in the whole of mainland
UK! But we are expanding our outreach teams to cover those who are deemed able to access us whilst in the community.

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One Occupational therapist and two Occupational Therapy Technicians
– meet the team! From left to right – Karen Miles (OT)
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Jo Dovaston (OT tech) Julie Hill (OT tech)
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Regular assistance from Health Care Assistants who show an interest in
OT

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Clients either come in for one weeks assessment – to determine whether their symptoms are caused by service related trauma or, for
Two weeks treatment, once a year, (more often if able).
Unfortunately having a mental health problem is still a stigma and many of our clients use annual leave for their treatment to protect their jobs in “civvi street”.
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OT referrals received from Nursing staff or the client themselves.

• Youngest 18 – Oldest 90 +
• Some also have personality disorders and or physical disabilities
• 28 Clients in the treatment centre at any one time
• Occupational Therapy Department accessible by all who wish to use the facilities
• OT Department open from 9.30 am until appx. 20.00 hrs. With at least one member of the OT team present 7 days a week.

Model Used:
• The Model of Human Occupation is a theoretical model of occupational therapy practice which OT seeks to explain how occupation is motivated, patterned and performed. It has become one of the leading theories in occupational therapy practice worldwide. (Kielhofner 2001)
• MOHOST (Parkinson & Forsyth 2001) stands for the Model of
Human Occupation Screening Tool – It was developed form the model of human occupation (MOHO) and addresses the majority of MOHO concepts (volition, habituation, performance capacity and environment). Allowing the therapist to gain an overview of the clients occupational functioning.

• Volition (Motivation for Occupation)
• Habituation (Pattern of Occupation)
• Communication & Interaction skills
• Process skills
• Motor skills
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Environment

Using the Occupational Therapy Process:
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Initial Assessment: Information gathered from nursing notes on admission, feedback from staff and an initial assessment interview with ex service personnel.
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Treatment Planning: Using client centred practise, OT & client agree on at least 3 short term goals whilst attending the treatment centre. These generally are around self –esteem, confidence, loss of roles, communication and interaction and lack of motivation.
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Intervention: 1:1 sessions with OT staff, graded exposure, mindfulness training, engaging in meaningful occupation using facilities provided and group work.
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Evaluation: OT meets with client just before discharge to discuss progress and plans for future admissions and gives homework.
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Comprehensive notes are written daily regarding clients engaging in OT in main nursing notes for MDT to read, plus MOHOST multi observationals.

Giant Jenga is played as part of our Body
Active Group
When you are afraid to paint, the OT may suggest painting your cap badge!
Special Thanks to my clients who gave permission for their work to be shown!