Paul Gledhill - Military & Blue Light Counsellor

18/01/2026

Appalling

Despite meeting the government a year ago, RAF veterans exposed to a harmful chemical in Iraq say they feel let down and ignored.

23/09/2025

We are pleased to announce the launch of our free online course, Advanced understanding of women veterans: how services can better meet their needs.

Originally delivered as a live workshop, the content has been adapted into an online, 30-minute self-guided course. Suitable for healthcare professionals, veteran service providers, and service developers seeking to enhance their understanding of the latest academic and applied research on the experiences and needs of UK women veterans.

Our 10-minute Introduction to women veterans' experiences and needs course is also still available online. This course is suitable for anyone who works with or may come into contact with women veterans, including employers, non-specialist services and those in the wider veteran sector.

Please follow the link to access the programme: https://veterans.training

23/09/2025

Got to love a bit of Alpha Papa

10/09/2025

Every year on 10 September, communities and organisations around the world come together to raise awareness of su***de prevention.

We believe one life lost to su***de is one too many. Ministry of Defence (MOD) data shows that su***de rates are highest among males under 25 in the regular forces. This aligns with our own research, which highlights early service leavers as particularly vulnerable to suicidal thoughts.

That’s why we are working on innovative solutions to help prevent su***de. One of our ongoing projects explores the use of artificial intelligence to help clinicians identify veterans at higher risk, with the goal of improving early intervention and support.

The MOD continues to take important steps to reduce stigma around mental health, providing education and support across all ranks. We’re proud to work alongside the MOD, the NHS and other military charities to help build a culture where people feel able to talk and to seek help.

As part of our commitment to raising understanding and supporting su***de prevention, we are running the following fully funded training courses, thanks to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust:

-Su***de Awareness for Family and Friends
-Su***de Prevention for Professionals
-Veterans at High Risk of Su***de for Professionals

These courses can be access via our award-winning learning platform, to find out more visit https://learning.combatstress.org.uk/

We’re here, 24/7.

Our mental health helplines offer specialist, around-the-clock support:

Serving personnel: 0800 323 4444

Veterans: 0800 138 1619

If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t stay silent. Help is available.

***dePreventionDay

09/09/2025

The Metropolitan Police Federation are devastated to report the off duty death of our colleague PC Louie Day in the early hours of Friday morning.

He was 23.

Louie had become a Metropolitan Police officer early this year and was well thought of by those who knew and worked with him.

He had previously served in the force as a PCSO.

Our thoughts are with Louie’s family, friends and colleagues at this devastating time. We are supporting them as best we can.

There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

If any Metropolitan Police officers are in need of help, please talk to a colleague or a Metropolitan Police Federation Representative.

It is important for officers who are struggling to know they are not alone, and that there are people there to help. This includes, for immediacy:

The Mental Health Crisis Line: call 0300 131 2789 and Samaritans: call 116 123.

31/08/2025

If this is you, get in touch. The cumulative effect of trauma can creep up on you when you least expect it. I specialise in working with the emergency services and will understand you in a way that most therapists cannot. 07396 737999
Sessions online or in person.

29/08/2025

25/08/2025

Anxiety can strike anyone.

It is caused by an internal conflict and you may not be consciously aware of what the conflict is about.

The Psychodynamic approach to therapy will help you to understand yourself and dig into the subconscious to locate these conflicts.

By doing this you can process out the underlying cause of anxiety, providing yourself with more clarity and less anxiety.

I work with clients to enable this process. We can have sessions in Chelmsford, Colchester or online. Drop me a message to 07396 737999 and we can get working on it.

22/01/2025

I’ve watched this countless times and wanted to share with you.

The Unknown Warrior, performed in the Royal Albert Hall for the Mountbatten Festival of Music 2021 by the Massed Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines.Music w...