Army Benevolent Fund Grant Enables Life-Changing Trauma Therapy for Veterans in Crisis

UK charity PTSD Resolution has been awarded a £35,000 grant from the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) to provide rapid-access mental health treatment to veterans, reservists and their families struggling with post-traumatic stress.

PTSD Resolution provides free mental health support for veterans, reservists, and their families struggling with trauma from military service or other life challenges. The grant comes at a critical time, as the charity experiences unprecedented demand with referrals rising by 50% year-on-year – from 388 to over 600 clients anticipated in 2025/26.

Since June alone, the charity has seen over 55 new clients each month, with 330 referred to therapy since May. Despite this dramatic increase, PTSD Resolution has maintained its rapid-response model, with first appointments still occurring within an average of just 2.4 days from registration.

The £35,000 grant from the ABF will fund core operational costs, enabling the charity to maintain its rapid-response model and continue expanding access to treatment across the United Kingdom.

Veterans' Support

This will enable PTSD Resolution to support an estimated 396 Army veterans and 48 Army veteran family members – representing 74% of the charity's projected client base for 2025/26. This reflects the Army Benevolent Fund's commitment to ensuring that those who have served, and their families, receive timely access to the mental health support they have earned and deserve.

One veteran who tried multiple other services before finding PTSD Resolution described the transformation:

"After my first session, that night my nightmares ceased. I became much calmer and to this day have not had one flashback. I threw out my antidepressants. I have reconnected to those around me and can now hold down a job."

The charity has now treated 4,500 clients, delivering positive outcomes, with 82% of veterans, reservists and families completing their mental health treatment programme, achieving a 79% reliable improvement rate and a 66% recovery rate for PTSD cases.

Charles Highett, CEO of PTSD Resolution, said:

"We are grateful to the Army Benevolent Fund for this generous grant of £35,000, which is truly invaluable to our work. This funding will directly enable us to continue providing rapid-response, evidence-based therapy to those who have served, ensuring that members of the Army family receive the timely mental health support they deserve."

"This year has seen a significant surge in people coming forward for treatment – a 50% increase year-on-year - as awareness of our services increases and referral systems through partner organisations further improve. Despite this unprecedented demand, we have maintained all of our key performance indicators, including our rapid first-appointment times. However, this growth has required our small team to work extended hours until new resources could be recruited."

"The ABF's support enables us to manage these pressures whilst continuing to turn no one away – we help veterans with addiction issues, those in the criminal justice system, and families suffering secondary trauma. This grant enables us to be there when they need us most, providing the immediate, effective support that can literally save lives." Charles Highett, CEO of PTSD Resolution

Evidence-Based Therapy

Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer at the Army Benevolent Fund, said:

"The Army Benevolent Fund is proud to support PTSD Resolution's vital work providing mental health treatment to veterans and their families.

"Their evidence-based approach and impressive outcomes demonstrate the real difference that specialist support can make to those struggling with trauma and mental health challenges. As the Army's national charity, we are committed to ensuring that veterans receive the help they need, when they need it, and PTSD Resolution's service is a crucial part of that support network." Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer, Army Benevolent Fund

The charity's impact extends beyond individual therapy. PTSD Resolution partners with organisations such as the Thrive Together initiative, part of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund (AFCF), Change, Grow, Live (CGL), The Poppy Factory and Lloyds Veterans Charity (LVC). It also works with security professionals' associations, major employers of veterans, including CiiSec, ASIS and the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals.

The "Rewind" technique used by PTSD Resolution has been validated by research published in BMJ Military Health (2025), showing significant improvements in PTSD symptoms among military veterans. The therapy works through memory reconsolidation, allowing traumatic memories to be processed via imaginal exposure without requiring veterans to verbally describe their experiences – a crucial difference for many who find traditional talking therapies retraumatising.

PTSD Resolution is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services and operates through a nationwide network of 200 therapists registered with the Human Givens Institute, itself accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Notes to Editors

Recent research: Effectiveness of the Rewind technique in treatment-seeking military veterans presenting with post-traumatic stress disorder in an NHS published in BMJ Military Health (2025) by Helen Dare, N Kitchiner, and G O'Connor.