Understanding and mapping the psychosocial wellbeing support needs of veteran family members across the UK: a multi-methods study
Abstract: The UK Veterans Family Study (UKVFS) is a cross institutional, multi-stage, collaborative research project aimed at better understanding the psychosocial health and wellbeing needs of family members of veterans throughout the UK. This is the second report from the UK Veterans Family Study, examining help seeking and service use among veeran familes in the UK. It does so by firstly mapping the landscape of psychosocial wellbeing support provisions for family members of veterans across the UK.
Abstract: In March 2023, the governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts appointed the first secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) to oversee state-level veteran benefits and programs. EOVS replaced the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services and, since its inception, has worked with the governor to improve veteran care and housing. In 2024, the governor signed An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans, which seeks to update and expand health and wellness benefits for veterans. To support new initiatives, EOVS partnered with the authors on a comprehensive analysis of the well-being of veterans in Massachusetts. In this analysis, the largest of its kind since 2017, the authors identified unmet veteran needs and evaluated how well EOVS programs are serving veterans. The findings and recommendations presented in this report will provide valuable guidance for EOVS to ensure that its programs are aligned with what Massachusetts veterans need most. The authors also offer a draft strategic framework for EOVS to consider as it works toward strengthening strategic planning efforts in the years ahead.