Live ChatArticle written by SSAFA Welfare Officer: Selina Clark
RAF Honington’s Selina Clark, a Welfare Officer with the Personal Support and Social Work Service and Samaritan volunteer, shares her insights into the challenges faced by service personnel and their families, highlighting the importance of tailored support and open conversations.
Anxiety is increasingly prevalent among younger generations, particularly within military communities such as RAF Honington, though experiences here will be replicated across all RAF stations, and no doubt with the other services, too.
But let’s be clear: life in the RAF and other services can cause anxiety. Depending on your role – say a Typhoon pilot on QRA duties or an air traffic controller – the heightened state of readiness, which of course extends to all other disciplines and across the rank structure, is almost an occupational hazard.
But more generally, including at RAF Honington, anxiety also and often stems from lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, excessive gaming, and reliance on stimulants like energy drinks. These habits, combined with inadequate nutrition, can worsen mental health issues. In fact, I’ve noticed a strong correlation between these lifestyle choices and heightened anxiety levels.
Technology also plays a significant, and not always helpful, role. Constant exposure to distressing news and social media content can amplify fears, especially for military families concerned about loved ones deployed in conflict zones. The 24/7 news cycle and social media reminders contribute to a persistent sense of unease.
Despite growing awareness, stigma remains a major barrier to seeking help. Many personnel fear judgement or career repercussions, particularly in environments where mental health discussions are taboo. The need for safe, confidential spaces where individuals feel validated and heard is vital, and the RAF is more aware of this now than even 20 years go.
Support strategies vary widely - some individuals benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), while others simply need someone to talk to.
But as a colleague of mine so accurately stated in an earlier article, one size – or one approach – does not fit all.
What works for you might not work for your closest colleague, but building trust is fundamental. Trust is rarely immediate, but is built over time, beginning usually with brief, sometimes almost superficial, conversations that gradually deepen.
Our efforts at RAF Honington to combat isolation include launching support groups inspired by successful initiatives at other stations, such as RAF Marham’s SEN group. These groups aim to foster connection and reduce the sense of loneliness that can fuel anxiety.
I’m a strong advocate of the importance of listening without pressure. Whether through long conversations or silent companionship, giving people time to express themselves is crucial. Techniques learned through my work with the Samaritans, such as embracing silence and avoiding sentence completion, help ensure individuals – that’s each of you reading this – feel truly heard.
Not everyone in the RAF or Armed Forces more generally, is called upon to do something brave. My advice, and this is echoed throughout SSAFA’s work, to anyone struggling with anxiety is to be brave enough to reach out and talk to us.
Because sharing your story, even in small pieces, can make it easier to cope.
Trusting those in the RAF PS&SWS, the processes, and finding the right support can transform anxiety into resilience.
