Meet Chloe Mackay, CEO – Combat Stress 

Tell us more about Combat Stress 

Combat Stress was founded in the aftermath of the First World War to support the soldiers who suffered from shell-shock and has worked alongside the UK Armed Forces for over a century.  

We provide a 24/7 UK wide helpline for serving personnel and veterans, a single number to call, the helpline offers a listening service and supports those who call to access the right support. Veterans who have a mental health issue are assessed by one of our team of psychologists and psychotherapists, where issues are complex or severe, they receive an additional assessment from one of our psychiatrists. The assessments mean that each veteran gains an understanding of their mental health and is supported to access suitable provision. Our expert team of mental health professionals has designed online guided self-help including guidance to support sleep and manage depression, anxiety. anger and alcohol.   

Combat Stress specialises in treatment for military trauma and we achieve a 70% recovery rate for veterans with PTSD. Engaged from the start of treatment, families are also provided with support for their own needs. Combat Stress is a registered healthcare provider, with the CQC in England and Wales, Care Inspectorate in Scotland, and RQIA in Northern Ireland. We hold the Royal College of Psychiatrists Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services standard.  

How does being a Member of Cobseo enhance the support that your organisation is able to provide? 

Being a Member of Cobseo provides a unique way of linking together with other charities working with the armed forces community.  It means that we understand issues across the experiences of many organisations, can share best practice to develop our delivery, and create opportunities to use our collective voice to influence change. Crucially it also means that we understand how other organisations deliver to allow us to bring together strands of expertise to best support each individual.  

What does being a part of the Cobseo Executive Committee mean for Combat Stress? 

Being part of the Executive Committee means Cobseo’s discussions include the view from an organisation that is focused on military trauma.  Recent research shows that for the Afghanistan and Iraq generation 11% of serving regulars have PTSD, so mental health will remain a significant issue in the years to come.  

I am proud to work within the group of charities that come together to form Cobseo. Many lives are saved and changed for the better by the work that goes on every day across the organisations, teams, and colleagues who make up our sector.