recognition and support veterans policy

Transcription

1 recognition and support veterans policy the danish government October 2010

2 Contents Preface 3 1 Background in brief 4 2 The veterans policy of the Government 6 3 Challenges 8 Veterans in general 9 The relatives 11 The injured 12 4 Recognition and support 14 Recognition 16 Support 18

3 recognition and support veterans policy Regeringen the danish government October 2010

4 2 The veterans policy of the Danish government

5 Preface Among the many tasks of the Danish Defence are the prevention of conflict and war and the promotion of a peaceful development in the world with respect for human rights. To that end, Denmark has been deploying soldiers to many of the world s hotspots. Since the deployment in 1992 of Danish peacekeeping troops to the Balkans more than 26,000 persons have been deployed at least once to international operations. It is crucial for the Danish Government to recognize the valuable effort made by the veterans and their relatives for Denmark. Most veterans return with experiences, which have boosted their professional development and widened their horizon. A minor part of the veterans are in need of support to handle the psychical and social traumas or physical injuries, inflicted upon them during their deployment. In some cases exposed veterans are to be given supplementary support in order to be on equal terms with other Danish citizens. This is a task for the entire society. Fortunately, the responsibility to carry out this task, assumed by the Government, the regions and the municipalities, is supplemented by voluntary organizations, and also by the veterans themselves. With this policy the Government wants to set the framework for the optimal way for society to recognize and, if necessary, support the veterans. This is a task that demands coordination between many actors, and we encourage a joint approach. The Danish veterans policy is the continuation of a solid foundation of existing initiatives. New knowledge and new experience will continue to benefit the veterans and their relatives. Therefore, the veterans policy will be evaluated in two years in order to secure that we will reach our goal: to recognize and support Denmark s veterans, whenever there is a need. Gitte Lillelund Bech Minister of Defence The veterans policy of the Danish government 3

6 Background in brief 1 4 The veterans policy of the Danish government

7 Denmark s security, freedom and prosperity depend, for better or worse, on the global development. Safety and stability are being challenged by new threats, such as international terrorism, fragile states and attacks on international trade. All these elements have an increasing influence on the horizon and the effects of our security policy. The deployment of military forces is a substantial contribution to an active Danish foreign and security policy. The Defence contributes to prevent conflicts and wars, and to promote democracy, freedom and respect for basic human rights. In the last 20 years, Denmark has substantially increased the amount of deployed soldiers in international operations. Simultaneously, the conflict environment and the threats have grown more severe, and as a consequence we have had more injured and deceased soldiers. The Defence has made a huge effort to follow up on the increasing challenges for the individual veteran and the veterans relatives before, during and after a deployment. The veterans are best supported on the basis of a comprehensive approach towards the individual veteran. It is therefore important that this task is solved in collaboration between the national, regional and local levels. Those employed in the Danish Defence are obliged to do service outside the national borders. The duty to be deployed with arms is a basic condition for the military employees of the Defence. The obligation for deployment does, however, imply a series of consequences for the working and private lives of the employees. Definition The term veteran describes a person who as an individual or in a unit has been deployed to at least one international operation. The person may still be employed in the Defence or another authority, but may also have transferred to the civilian educational system, labour market or elsewhere. The veterans policy of the Danish government 5

8 The veterans policy of the Government 2 6 The veterans policy of the Danish government

9 It is the Government s position that the Danish society must offer a worthy reception to the veterans after their effort as deployed by Denmark. Already, a great number of initiatives have been launched to secure recognition and support. Public authorities and voluntary organizations contribute to the recognition and support of the veterans and their relatives. With the veterans policy the Government wants to achieve: The best possible preparation of the employees of the Defence before deployment to international operations, and the handling of any challenges in the time after their homecoming. Support for the relatives of the veterans during the whole course of events. Recognition to the veterans for the highly important effort they have made for the Denmark. Through a comprehensive effort, society offers prompt, relevant, coordinated and respectful treatment of those veterans who have been physically or psychically injured in international service. The exact implications are described in chapter 4, regarding recognition and support. Enriched by experiences In 2008, veterans from Kosovo and Afghanistan were asked about their experiences. Most veterans regarded their deployment as having been enriching rather than straining. Personal development, comradeship, and the experience of taking part in making a difference, are among the experiences that are highly valued. Source: psychologists of the Danish Defence The veterans policy of the Danish government 7

10 Challenges 3 8 The veterans policy of the Danish government

11 Veterans in general Denmark s veterans have been deployed to these missions, among others: The Army: In December 2001, by invitation of the Afghan Transitional Government, the UN Security Council established an international security force to assist Afghanistan in upholding security in the country. The Navy: In the Gulf of Aden, the navy has lead and participated in an international naval force, operating around the Horn of Africa to establish maritime safety in the area, and at the same time fight piracy. The Air Force: In 1998, the Danish parliament decided to meet a request from NATO for support with fighter planes for the operation Allied Force over Kosovo. In 2009, Denmark headed the field hospital in Camp Bastion in Afghanistan for three months. About 100 Danish doctors, nurses and other medical personnel manned the field hospital together with American and British colleagues. In spite of the many varied tasks, the experiences and needs of the veterans often coincide. One central and common theme for the veterans is the wish for recognition of their effort. The national flag-flying day for Denmark s deployed, the Monument for Denmark s International Effort, homecoming parades and award of medals exemplify signs of gratitude from the official Denmark. A gratitude supplementing the one the veterans meet in their close environment. Injured and deceased in the period 1992 September 2010 Physically Permanent Mission Deployed injured disability Deceased The Balkans abt. 29, Iraq abt. 6, Afghanistan abt. 10, Others abt. 4, Total abt. 50, In this period of time there have been abt. 50,500 deployments, distributed on abt. 26,500 veterans. The term injured merely comprises the physically injured, as there is no reliable information regarding the number of veterans who suffer from psychical injury in need of treatment as a consequence of their deployment. This is what we do today: Talk with psychologist upon homecoming Upon homecoming, veterans from missions with many hostilities (such as Iraq and Afghanistan) must attend an individual talk with a psychologist in order to determine, whether they have any immediate need for support (since 2003). The veterans policy of the Danish government 9

12 Many veterans experience that they get a better knowledge of themselves through their deployment. The encounter with a local population with other cultural standards in an area of conflict, and with radically different problems from those in Denmark, has given new knowledge to many deployed soldiers. Recognition is thus also to realize and appreciate the professional and personal competences that the veterans acquire during their deployment. The time before deployment is characterized by intensive education and training in order to prepare the soldier for that specific mission. During deployment, everyday life may be characterized by a lot of waiting time and routine tasks, interrupted by intense periods of straining and unaccustomed situations. In most conflict areas there will be different dangers, depending on the specific situation. Improvised explosive devices and combat are examples of specific threats against the life of the individual soldier. Destitution in the local population, assault on civilians, and injured and deceased colleagues are other examples of experiences that deployed soldiers must be able to relate to specifically. The many foreign influences and straining situations affect most people both physically and psychically. Those are normal reactions to unusual experiences. The tasks in the mission areas are very complex and demand that a soldier has a high mental readiness. For instance, Danish soldiers must be able to not only fight rebel forces, protect the local population and take part in stabilizing an area. They must also be able to enter into a dynamic teamwork with the actors responsible for the civilian reconstruction and development effort, and with the local population. After deployment, the veteran once again has to adapt to Danish everyday life. The veteran s mental preparedness must be brought back to the same level, as it was before the deployment. This can be difficult after a period of time where high intensity has been the norm. Some veterans also display altered physiological reactions. After a longer deployment period of high preparedness, the adrenaline production may be increased, among other reactions. It is quite normal that it will take time to get it back to the level where it was before deployment. This is what we do today: From Battlemind to Homemind Units that have been in Afghanistan are kept together for up to three months after homecoming. The veterans have the opportunity to process their experience together, and to get used to the transition to civilian life (first programme was in 2008). 10 The veterans policy of the Danish government

13 The relatives Before deployment, the relatives want to have as much information as possible regarding the deployment. For instance, they want knowledge about the general conditions for the soldiers in the mission area, and about the offers for support that are available for the soldier and the relatives. The relatives want easy access to the information. Therefore, the Danish Defence makes a substantial effort to inform the relatives. Nobody in a family is unaffected by a deployment. Everyone will be emotionally affected and worried. Some of the relatives face a series of practical challenges, such as bringing and picking up children at institutions, shopping, caring for domestic animals etc. These are conditions which they share with other citizens, who also have a relative working far away from home for periods of time. Similarly, the children may be heavily affected by both the deployment and the worries and altered reactions of the partner left behind. Therefore, children may have a need for speaking to an adult about their concerns. The relatives must be patient, when the veteran returns home and once again has to adapt to a normal everyday life. For children, whose one parent has been away, it may take time to adjust to the fact that there are once again two parents making demands and creating the conditions in the home. If a soldier is injured, not only the soldier is strained, but very much the relatives as well for instance having the problem of readjusting to a life together with a partner with a physical or psychical injury. For the soldier s relatives, the practical challenges are often followed by worry over the risks, which the deployed soldier is exposed to. The longing and the fear of losing may intensify, whenever the media inform of battles in the mission area. The emotional unease may cause a need for increased support from family and friends, and in some cases from a psychologist. This is what we do today: Psychological aid All veterans who have been exposed to traumatizing events during deployment to an international mission, or who have trouble readapting after deployment, are eligible for psychological aid. The offer is indeterminate and also applies to the relatives of the veteran during and after deployment (since 1997). The veterans policy of the Danish government 11

14 The injured By far, most veterans return home without any physical or psychical injuries. Veterans, who have been injured, physically or psychically, encounter various challenges, which society has an obligation to assist them in handling. The physically injured Veterans with permanent and disabling injuries often need specially adapted and expensive aid. Typically, they are well-trained youths who are used to a high activity level. Veterans sometimes experience an unsatisfactory public standard of specialized offers and rehabilitation, among other things. This is what we do today: Handicap-friendly homes In Copenhagen, the Defence has established two handicap-friendly apartments for the use of injured veterans, until their local municipality is able to find them a suitable home (since 2009). The needs of the physically injured veterans are often complex, and it is necessary to coordinate the effort of the national, regional and local authorities. Typically, the veterans have never before been dependent on a public system. Therefore, it may seem overwhelming to get an overview of the possibilities for help, citizen s rights, and how to find your way around in the system. This is especially the case in a period of time where a person s life, such as career plans and private interests, is up for reconsideration. 12 The veterans policy of the Danish government

15 The psychically injured It is normal to react to unpleasant incidents. For most people, the reactions fade away again after a brief period of time. For a minor group, the reactions may develop into an actual psychical illness, which needs treatment. Upon their homecoming, some veterans experience passing emotional problems, for instance characterized by restlessness, sadness, social withdrawal, short temper and aggressive behaviour, or abuse of either alcohol or euphoriants. If the symptoms prevail, they may become permanent. These problems are a severe strain also to the relatives of the veteran. It is important that the veteran gets help and support as soon as possible. The situation for veterans with emotional problems can be complicated by social circumstances, such as broken relationships, frequent sick-days, or more ordinary problems with finding their way back to normal everyday life. Especially the emotionally traumatized veterans feel that the authorities display a general lack of understanding of the problems that may arise due to a deployment. Psychically injured veterans often expect to receive special consideration. On the other hand, public authorities may have a problem defining the exact problems and may have a hard time getting the necessary information from the veteran. The situation is such today that only the National Hospital of Denmark (Rigshospitalet) is able to offer psychiatric assistance with a basis in military vocational knowledge. For veterans living far away from the capital, who for instance suffer from a severe psychic strain reaction, the geographic distance may be a barrier in itself. Psychically injured veterans sometimes have a feeling that their local authorities do not possess the necessary experience, and that there is a general lack of knowledge of the special conditions of the veterans. Psychically injured veterans may harbour considerable resistance and scepticism towards addressing the therapeutic system, and may react strongly, if they feel rejected. In some cases, emotional problems emerge a long time after homecoming. Veterans and relatives are informed in detail, which symptoms they should be aware of, and which options there are for treatment by the psychologists of the Defence also after homecoming. The psychologists of the Defence are not aware of all veterans with psychic problems. This is either because the problem has not been recognized by the individual veteran, or because the person in question does not want help from the Defence. This is what we do today: Questionnaire Focus on the psychically injured The Danish Defence sends out questionnaires to the veterans six months after their homecoming. In the questionnaires, they may recount their experiences and reactions after deployment. The psychologists of the Defence contact any veteran who is showing indications of need for support, unless the veteran specifically declines this (since 1997). In 2009, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Health informed the regions and the local authorities that veterans with psychical problems may face specific challenges. At the same time, they were informed of the existing offers of support in the Defence and in the health system. The veterans policy of the Danish government 13

16 Recognition and support 4 14 The veterans policy of the Danish government

17 It is the policy of the Danish Government that veterans must be recognized for their effort, and that they and their relatives must be supported, whenever the need arises. This policy introduces a series of initiatives, supplementing the existing assistance offered by national, regional, and local authorities to all citizens. The initiatives are based on an already existing foundation of initiatives, taken in later years by the Defence, among others. In this connection it is important to emphasize and recognize the important effort in this field made by voluntary organizations. In relation to the injured veterans, it is important for the Government that each initiative is based on the situation of the individual veteran. The best possible help must be available, in order to make the veteran able to once again contribute to society also in the interest of the veteran and the veteran s relatives. This is what we do today: The Danish Parliament adopts a proposal for tax exemption of soldier s grants Grants to support Danish soldiers and civilian employees, who have been physically or psychically injured in international operations, are exempt from tax. This also applies to grants given to relatives, in cases where the deployed has been killed or has suffered injury. The reception of a tax-exempt soldiers grant has no effect on the calculation of cash benefit or starting assistance. The Danish Defence has a special responsibility in relation to the deployed soldiers and their relatives. The overall purpose of the effort is to send out competent soldiers, and to bring back competent human beings. The veterans policy of the Danish government 15

18 Recognition In 2009, the Government introduced an official flag-flying day for Denmark s deployed. The flag-flying day is observed every year on 5 September. In 2010, Her Majesty the Queen approved the institution of a series of new medals, which can be awarded to the individual veteran as a tangible symbol of recognition. Veterans who are physically injured in international operations are eligible for the Defence Medal for Injured in Service. The Government recognizes psychical injury on an equal footing with physical injury. Therefore, the following initiative is taken: The psychically injured are recognized on an equal footing with the physically injured. From now on, the Defence Medal for Injured in Service can be awarded to the psychically injured. Out of respect for the many who have been deployed to areas of conflict and disasters, for those who are deployed now, those who will be deployed in the future, and for those who have perished, the Government has decided to erect a monument in 2011 for Denmark s international effort since The monument will be situated on the Princess Bastion at the Citadel in Copenhagen. The Government recognizes the competences of the veterans The competences and experience of the veterans must be utilized. The recognition of the veterans competences, which have been built up throughout their education in the Defence and later on fortified in the mission area, should be developed through real competence evaluation. Therefore, the following initiative is taken: The basis for real competence evaluation and guidance must be strengthened. The schools and the Youth Educational Guidance must be informed of the competences achieved by the veterans in connection with their education and deployment. In this way the veterans will have the greatest possible benefit from their competences in connection with further education. Furthermore, with the consent of the individual veterans, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defence will pass on information regarding veterans younger than 25 years to the Youth Educational Guidance. In this way the young person in question can receive optimal counselling in connection with their choice of a youth education. Cash benefit before starting assistance In the autumn of 2010, the Government will submit a proposal to ensure that veterans, who have been deployed for Denmark in a military mission, can include the sojourn into the prerequisite 7 years residence on Danish soil out of 8 years in order to be able to receive cash benefit instead of starting assistance. 16 The veterans policy of the Danish government

19 The veterans competences must be rendered visible. The veterans competences must be described and value-determined in relation to the public educational system in order to create transparency and comparability, and also to ease the terms of merit rating; especially in relation to those veterans who leave the Defence. Therefore, the following initiative is taken: The establishment of a project within the framework of the National Centre for Competence and Quality Development with the purpose of throwing light on the real competences of the veterans. On the basis of the real competence evaluation, the veteran gets a competence card describing knowledge, skills and competences in relation to a continued education in the public educational system and in relation to employment possibilities in the labour market. Tangible proof of deployment The effort of the individual veteran in international missions is being documented. Therefore, the following initiative is taken: Veterans from international service will receive a veterans card as documentation and recognition of their international service. Initially, the project will be carried out as a pilot project for units of the army. The veterans policy of the Danish government 17

20 Support The supporting initiatives of the Danish Defence focus both on the veterans and their relatives. It is a wide array of initiatives that is being offered before, during and after deployment. In order to support and follow the soldier and his/her relatives during the course of a deployment, the Defence has established a so-called contact officer system. The contact officer is the connection between the Defence and the relatives, both before, during and after the deployment. The contact officer can be contacted at all times. He is typically the point of contact to access the support offers of the Danish Defence. The Government strengthens the offer of support by the Defence The offer for support by the Defence is strengthened by the concentration of the resources. One centre for recognition and support one access point. Therefore, the following initiative is taken: A veterans centre is established to provide service to veterans, relatives and other actors in the veterans field. This means that there will be one single access point for enquiries regarding veterans and one single phone number, which will be available 24/7. Among other things, the veterans centre will: Respond to enquiries about conditions concerning deployment to international missions. Offer counselling on options for support in the public sector and in the Defence. Offer comprehensive support, for instance in cases where a veteran is struggling with both social and emotional problems. Lend support in cases where the solution of a veteran s problems involves the local or various public authorities, or perhaps needs to cross national, regional, and local boundaries. The resources of the Defence in the veterans area, such as educational counsellors, psychologists and social workers, are physically put together in the veterans centre. The centre must ensure that the effort is constantly developing in all relations regarding the recog nition and support for veterans and their relatives. The veterans centre will initiate cooperation across the public sector, and will include and, where necessary, consult the National Knowledge and Special Advisory Function. The coordinated effort of the veterans centre must be qualified and developed, through research and by exchange of experience with NATO partners, among others. Briefings, psychological prevention etc. also for the relatives In order to prepare the soldiers for the challenges they may meet while deployed, the Defence carries out a series of briefings before deployment. The purpose of this is to prevent possible emotional reactions, among other things. At the same time, the Defence focuses on the follow-up effort. During deployment, the soldiers may be involved in various violent incidents, which call for a crisis-psychological effort. In order to be able to prevent any mental damage, the heads and leaders are educated by the psychologists of the Defence in the prevention and handling of straining incidents. At the same time, there is a focus on the preparation of the individual soldier. All soldiers are briefed before deployment on how to prevent any crises and on signs of emotional reactions. The Government wants to improve the effort to prevent psychical reactions. Therefore, the following initiative is taken: The selection of soldiers for international operations, which at present is carried out by health personnel, is further developed. This includes an evaluation of a soldier s preparedness for deployment. The Defence furthermore wants to support the relatives and to recognize their effort. Therefore, a series of the initiatives of the Defence is aimed at the relatives. 18 The veterans policy of the Danish government

21 What has already been done? The Defence has carried out a series of initiatives with substantial impact on the area. An overview of initiatives for recognition and support can be found on the homepage of the Ministry of Defence An important part of the support for the relatives is briefings regarding the mission, which the soldier is to be deployed to, and regarding the options for support offered to the relatives. These briefings are carried out in connection with meetings for the relatives, both before and during deployment. This is where the relatives are informed of the current mission, and any issues the relatives should be aware of. The relatives meet with the contact officer, and they are briefed about typical emotional reactions, options for support, family networks, and contact options in connection with any need for support. The children of deployed personnel may be heavily affected by the deployment, and by the worries and altered reactions of the partner left behind. Therefore, the children may need special support. The effort to support the children, including the effect of the established support groups for children, must be examined. Therefore, the following initiative is taken: The effect of the deployment on partner and children will be examined with a view to a possible increase in the support for the relatives. The Government strengthens knowledge and prevention In order to continuously be able to target and optimize the effort in the veterans area, it must be further developed on the basis of exact knowledge from scientific and systematic follow-up on the experience of the Defence and international research. Therefore, the following initiative is taken: A permanent knowledge centre is established. Knowledge regarding veterans conditions must be put to use for, among other things, the prevention of damage, the evaluation and development of focus areas, and the cooperation with external research institutions. Thus, the effort for veterans and their relatives is carried out on an increasingly qualified basis. The Government increases the follow-up effort The Defence carries out a homecoming project for veterans from Afghanistan. In the project, called Acclimati zation and Reintegration, the unit is kept together for a three months period of time after homecoming. In this way, the veterans get the possibility of dealing with the experiences together. At the same time, the veterans get used to the transition to civilian life. The veterans also get the possibility to identify their competences, and are thus prepared to apply for a civilian job, an education or a position in the Defence. In order to counter any emotional reactions, the Defence has initiated a series of other follow-up initiatives in support of returned veterans. For instance, veterans from tough missions must attend an interview with a psychologist upon homecoming in order to determine whether there is a need for support. After homecoming, the Defence carries out homecoming meetings for the formerly deployed units. Here, the soldiers have the possibility to meet old buddies and talk about their experiences. At the same time, the Defence is able to follow up on any emotional reactions with the veterans. Six months after the end of a mission, the veteran receives a questionnaire, requesting replies to the veteran s experiences and reactions after homecoming. The psychologists of the Defence address those veterans, whose replies indicate signs of need for support. No citizens are being forced to receive psychological or psychiatric help. However, emotionally traumatized veterans must be contacted to a greater extent than before and be offered help. Therefore, the following initiatives are taken: There will be an active follow-up on veterans, whose employment with the defence has ended. The aim is to keep in contact with veterans within the first years after their transition to civilian life. The Defence will strengthen selected veterans ability to render buddy support. The framework for buddy support are clearly defined, and in such a way that social and medical personnel of the Defence will be involved whenever needed. The veterans policy of the Danish government 19

22 The Government increases the support for the injured soldier The Defence is employer for the deployed soldiers. Among other things, the employer s responsibility is executed through a series of initiatives for the benefit of the employees. Injured veterans often have special needs for support. Therefore, the Defence has a natural responsibility to help those veterans who have been injured in service for Denmark. The Defence offers support to those veterans who have suffered injury during deployment. The efforts of doctors, psychologists, legal advisers, contact officers and others are coordinated. At the same time, the Defence helps the injured veteran to get an overview of the possibilities for receiving support from the public system, in the form of adjustment of the lay-out of home and workplace, industrial injury compensation, and more. Support for the injured veteran must be based on the individual situation, in order that the veteran is given the best possible terms for rehabilitation. Severely physically injured veterans have often suffered very complicated and comprehensive injuries, which demand long periods of rehabilitation. The Government wants to offer the best possible treatment and the best possible conditions for rehabilitation. An effort which will also benefit other injured citizens. Rehabilitation for the physically injured By means of donations, private funds have boosted the specialized rehabilitation for the physically injured veterans (and other patients) at the National Hospital. Among other things, the donations secure the acquisition of modern physiotherapeutic and occupation-therapeutic rehabilitation equipment. Some veterans, who suffer injuries, for instance by improvised explosive devices, may risk amputations as a result of their injuries. Before their injuries, the veterans have engaged in intensive physical training, and to the greatest extent they must get back the possibility to take up an active life of athletics. Therefore, the Government wants to take the following initiative: A significantly increased effort for the physically injured. More personnel are to be employed at the departments of the National Hospital involved in the rehabilitation of injured soldiers, and further retraining equipment is procured. The competences of Danish therapists in the area of rehabilitation of injured veterans must be strengthened through exchange of experience with foreign therapists. In the setting of the Defence, veterans with amputations will be offered sports artificial limbs, so that injured soldiers may again take up an active life of athletics according to their own wishes and needs. With a view to increasing the access to knowledge of the special conditions of injured veterans, the following initiatives are taken: The veterans will be a part of the target group of the National Knowledge and Special Advisory Function (VISO). The VISO is a support function for citizens, local authorities, and special institutions alike, which may all turn to the VISO for special counselling and help for clearing up problems in the social vocational area. In the VISO, there are professional competences and specialized knowledge in this area. Therefore, the VISO can serve as a support function for local authorities and special institutions in cases, where the individual municipality has no established expertise. The citizens may also address the VISO directly. By including the veterans in the VISO target group, it is ensured that a veteran with an especially complicated need is met with the highest expertise, regardless of whether the veteran lives and works in Northern Jutland or on Bornholm. At the same time, the veterans centre can profit from the knowledge of the VISO in relevant cases. 20 The veterans policy of the Danish government

23 Education in veterans conditions is carried out for local caseworkers and employees of the district psychiatry. The education is organized to include experience from local authorities and the health system. The education is carried out in the setting of the new veterans centre. Furthermore, digital access to examples of good practice is established, so that the local job centres, the social psychiatry and others may draw on existing knowledge. Free psychological assistance also for the relatives The Defence offers psychological assistance to all vete rans, who in an international mission have been exposed to traumatizing events, or are having problems readjusting to everyday life after a deployment. This offer has no period of limitation, and it is also valid for already discharged veterans. The offer furthermore includes the relatives of the veterans. In addition to this, the psychologists offer couples therapy for the veterans and their relatives, as a deployment may be a severe strain on a relationship. The offer for psychological assistance is valid for treatment by the psychologists of the Defence in Copenhagen, and also for treatment by one of the 50 or so privately practising psychologists around the country, who are connected to the network of the Defence. The Government expands the access to psychiatric special knowledge Some emotionally traumatized veterans may need psychiatric treatment. Today, the highly specialized psychiatric treatment is centralized at the National Hospital. The Defence has made an agreement with the Crisis and Catastrophe Centre in Copenhagen for evaluation and possible treatment of soldiers with post-traumatic stress reactions. The limited accessibility is a problem for the patients. Therefore, the following initiatives are taken: A highly specialized offer is developed and established in the hospital service targeting patients with psychiatric disorders, primarily severe post-traumatic stress reactions as a result of service-related strain in connection with deployment. Highly specialized offers targeting the patient group are established in several locations around the country in connection with existing multi-branching psychiatrically specialized functions in the hospital service. The access of emotionally traumatized veterans to support from a psychologist or a social worker is improved, so that more people in need of support can use the existing options. The following initiative is taken: The access to consultation with one of the social workers, psychologists or network psychologists of the Defence is improved. In this connection, referral consul tations are to be possible elsewhere than in the establishments of the Defence, for instance in the new veterans homes. Outreach effort In 2007, the Defence sent out abt. 20,000 letters to formerly deployed persons. Among other things, the purpose was to call their attention to the time-unlimited possibility for support from the psychologists of the Defence. Subsequently, 200 veterans indicated a need for follow-up support from psychologists. The veterans policy of the Danish government 21

24 This is what we do today: When a soldier is seriously injured or perishes The special compensation and indemnification system of the Danish Defence: 100 per cent permanent handicap 3,653,500 DKK Loss of provider Loss of non-provider (compensation for the estate) 2,436,000 DKK 1,216,500 DKK Example: A soldier with an annual salary of 275,000 DKK loses both legs in battle and suffers injury to his stomach. Handicap degree 120 per cent and loss of earning capability 50 per cent. Law on industrial injury insurance Defence Total (tax exempt) 902,400 DKK 3,653,500 DKK 4,555,900 DKK Compensation for loss of earning capability. The veteran is awarded a loss of earning capability of 50 per cent. Until his/her 67th year of age, he/she will receive a monthly taxable amount of 9,167 DKK. Economic security In addition to the ordinary compensation and indemnification according to the law on industrial injury insurance and the accord on group life insurances, the soldiers deployed to international operations are covered by the special indemnity and compensation arrangement of the Defence. This arrangement has been established, because it can be very difficult for the individual soldier to get insurance in connection with deployment to war zones. The main purpose of the arrangement is to secure the soldier or the soldier s family in the event of the soldier dying or getting injured during deployment. The insurance sum will be paid independently of ordinary industrial injury insurances and any other private insurance. Handicap degrees for psychical injury are investigated Psychically injured veterans live with special inconveniences and problems. Therefore, the Government takes the following initiative: The industrial injury authority investigates, whether there is a need for adjustment of the handicap degrees of psychically injured veterans and others. 22 The veterans policy of the Danish government

25 The voluntary and occupational organizations The Government recognizes the huge and important effort, which is made by volunteers, among others. As an example, in the setting of the many voluntary associations and the occupational organizations, veterans are able to share their experiences with other veterans, who know the context and understand the special problems that may arise after a deployment. In addition to this, it is a great sign of recognition of the veterans that so many people offer their help unselfishly. Some tasks are best dealt with in another context, for instance in cases where a former employer or public authorities are altogether opted out. In these cases, the volunteers and the organizations have an important function in relation to making contact to those veterans, who withdraw from the established offers. This contact gives an opportunity to help the injured veteran move on to professional treatment. Among other things, the Government s coming strategy for civilian society will focus on strengthening the framework for cooperation between the voluntary social organizations, the public sector and the private sector. The Government is aware of the potential of including civilian society in the solution of social problems in relation to target groups, such as the psychically injured veterans. Support and coordination of the effort of voluntary and occupational organizations The effort of voluntary and occupational organizations is supported and coordinated for the benefit of the veterans and their relatives. Therefore, the following initiatives are taken: The voluntary organizations are given better possibilities to coordinate their efforts. A veterans secretariat is established, in order to optimize the possibility of solving major tasks across the various associations, among other things. The veterans secretariat will be able to coordinate tasks, such as the collection and distribution of sponsorships. Homepages in the Defence and in voluntary organizations are coordinated to give a better overview. At the same time, the coordinated information will be put to use as an information database for other public authorities. Evaluation The veterans area is complex, especially concerning the conditions for the psychically injured veterans. New knowledge in this field is constantly optimizing the combined effort. The effort in the veterans area will be continuously developed, and the veterans policy will be evaluated after two years. In connection with the evaluation, a conference will be held with the participation of representatives for the occupational organizations and the voluntary actors, among others. This is what we do today: Veterans homes With support from the Defence and funds, among others, three veterans homes have been established. Here, the veterans and their relatives can meet. Volunteers with connections to army or naval associations, and with an interest in the matter, manage the day-to-day running of the homes (since 2010). The veterans policy of the Danish government 23

26 New Initiatives in the Government s Veterans Policy A veterans centre will be established to coordinate the effort for veterans and their relatives. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence A veterans secretariat will be established to support voluntary organizations. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence A knowledge centre will be established. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence Enhanced effort for the physically injured. Responsibility: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Health and Ministry of Defence Enhanced treatment for the psychically injured veterans. Responsibility: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Health Enhanced selection of soldiers for deployment. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence Veterans are to be a part of the target group for the National Knowledge and Special Advisory Function (VISO). Responsibility: Ministry of Social Affairs Education of municipal caseworkers in the conditions of the veterans. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence Enhanced basis for real competence evaluation and guidance. Responsibility: Ministry of Education and Ministry of Defence Issuance of competence cards. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence Improved access to psychologists and social workers. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence Improved buddy support. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence Enhanced outreach effort towards formerly employed veterans. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence Examination of the influence of deployment on partner and children. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence One single access point to web-based information. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence 24/7 access to phone support and counselling. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence Investigation in the area of consultative percentages of permanent disability from psychical injury for veterans and others. Responsibility: Ministry of Employment Recognition of equality of the physically and psychically injured. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence Issue of veterans card as a proof of identity. Responsibility: Ministry of Defence Read more about the veterans policy on the homepage of the Danish Ministry of Defence: 24 The veterans policy of the Danish government

27 Recognition and support The veterans policy of the Danish Government October 2010:39 For any enquiry regarding this publication, please contact: Danish Ministry of Defence Holmens Kanal 42 DK-1060 Copenhagen Denmark ISBN electronic version Design BGRAPHIC Photos Danish Defence The publication can be downloaded at

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