NCMH Researchers awarded government grant funding for veteran PTSD treatment

Posted March 02nd 2023

Professor Jon Bisson and Dr Catrin Lewis of the National Centre for Mental Health have been announced amongst others as grant winners of the £5 million Health Innovation Fund by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs.

The fund has been awarded to 22 projects that aim to develop new treatments and technology to support veteran’s healthcare.

“We are delighted to have been awarded funding by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to adapt ‘Spring’, our effective guided internet-based treatment for PTSD, to help veterans,” commented Professor Jonathan Bisson.

The Cardiff University Traumatic Stress Research Group (CUTSRG) which is hosted by the NCMH has previously conducted research that demonstrated the effectiveness of online vs. face-to-face therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

As part of this research, the group developed ‘Spring’, a guided and internet-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with a Trauma Focus (CBT-TF) programme with guidance from a trained professional.

This newly awarded funding will allow the group to further adapt ‘Spring’ into a bespoke programme to treat veterans with PTSD.

Read more about the Health Innovation Fund.