LEST WE FORGET: Saul Dibb’s JOURNEY’S END joins forces with Leading Veterans’ Mental Health Charity Combat Stress
The leading charity for veteran’s mental health, Combat Stress, worked with the cast and crew of Journey’s End to give them an insight into how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects soldiers on the front line.
The film, based on R C Sheriff’s play and novel of the same name, looks at the horror of trench warfare for a group of soldiers during the First World War. The story portrays the effects of PTSD, depression and substance abuse as the soldiers struggle to cope with traumatic experiences.
Combat Stress worked with filmmakers by introducing three veterans to cast members including Sam Claflin, Paul Bettany and Stephen Graham during the shoot of the film to talk through their experiences of war and the aftermath of returning from duty.
Founded at the end of the First World War, the charity has since helped thousands of former servicemen and women to overcome mental health issues including trauma, anxiety and PTSD.
In line with the release date of Journey’s End, which is released across the UK from Friday 2nd February, Combat Stress has revealed results of a recent study of its veterans. The research shows that, just like the character of Capt Stanhope in the film, many of the veterans supported by the charity have more than one mental health condition. Of the veterans Combat Stress supports:
Over eight in ten (82%) presented symptoms of PTSD
Almost three quarters (74%) demonstrated anger issues
Over seven in ten (72%) had symptoms of anxiety and depression
And 43% had alcohol misuse problems
Further findings from the research shows that higher severity of PTSD was found in younger veterans, those not in relationships, and those unemployed.
Sue Freeth, Chief Executive of Combat Stress, said “As audiences will see in Journey’s End, post-traumatic stress disorder is a very serious mental health condition that, left untreated, can have a devastating impact on those affected and their loved ones.
“Our research shows that PTSD is not experienced in isolation but usually combined with other mental health, physical health and alcohol problems. Veterans from more recent conflicts to Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to present with the most complex mental health needs.
In the last ten years, we have seen a 143% increase in referrals to Combat Stress, with veterans having waited on average more than a decade before seeking help.
The earlier veterans come to us, the less likely they are to experience multiple problems or have more serious psychological and physical conditions. We strongly encourage serving men and women, veterans and their loved ones to call our 24-hour Helpline on 0800 138 1619.”
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Journey’s End is released in cinemas across the UK from Friday February 2
About Combat Stress
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. For almost a century it has helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Demand for the charity’s services continues to grow, with an average of more than 2,000 referrals each year. To help veterans rebuild their lives Combat Stress provides a range of free services at its treatment centres and through regional community teams, including short-stay clinical treatment, a specialist PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme, occupational therapy, a Peer Support Service and a free 24-hour Helpline (0800 138 1619).
For more information visit Combat Stress.
About the research
403 veterans completed surveys to deliver these findings. The contributors to the research were a sample set from over 3,300 treatment-seeking veterans who had attended an appointment with Combat Stress, engaging support from the charity to deal with war-related issues including trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
About Journey’s End
Based on RC Sherriff’s play and novel of the same name Journey’s End is set in March 1918 as C-Company, led by a war-weary Captain Stanhope (Sam Claflin) arrives in northern France to take its turn in the front-line trenches. Told that a German offensive is imminent Stanhope drowns his fears in whisky whilst the officers (Paul Bettany, Stephen Graham, Tom Sturridge) and their cook (Toby Jones) attempt to distract themselves in their dugout with talk of food and life before war. They are joined by Raleigh (Asa Butterfield), a young new officer fresh out of training excited about his first real posting, and a chance to serve under Stanhope. Raleigh’s naivety serves as a stark contrast to the other men’s impending fear as the tension rises and the attack draws ever closer.
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