Simplyhealth is opening up its mental health counselling and 24/7 video GP services free of charge to Afghanistan veterans.
The provider revealed that UK’s service personnel and veterans who served in Afghanistan between 2001 and the present day can now access an advice helpline as well as telephone or face-to-face mental health counselling sessions with trained specialists over the next 12 weeks.
They can also book unlimited video GP appointments at a time that suits them.
Simplyhealth CEO Dr Sneh Khemka (pictured) said: “We are all aware of recent events in Afghanistan and want to help at a time of great pressure on the NHS and specialist charities. As a company whose purpose is to improve access to healthcare in the UK, we feel it our duty to offer help where we can.
“Simplyhealth will therefore be offering free access to mental health counselling and 24/7 GP services via our specialist network of qualified doctors and counsellors to all Afghanistan veterans for the next 12 weeks.”
Simplyhealth also revealed that it is making a donation to and supporting Combat Stress, a UK charity for veterans’ mental health, which provides specialist treatment and support for British veterans from every service and conflict.
“We have a strong history of supporting mental wellbeing through our work with the Mental Health Foundation, and many other community and charity organisations,” Khemka added.
“We recognise the importance of the work Combat Stress is doing with the veteran community and wanted to put additional funding behind it, as well as offer quick access to healthcare to those in need.
“Our hope is that this will get the right help to the right people as quickly as possible.”
Veterans can access the services by contacting Simplyhealth’s team on 0370 9083304.