Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: How flaws in the British Military TRiM Policy are failing soldiers

The British military’s Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) policy was introduced to support personnel exposed to traumatic events, aiming to identify and manage psychological distress early on. 

Despite the policy's well-intentioned design, as a military injury lawyer I'm aware there have been notable shortcomings in its implementation leading to prolonged and potentially avoidable psychiatric injuries among those serving in our Armed Forces. 

What is TRiM and the concerns around it?

TRiM is a peer-delivered system intended to provide immediate support following traumatic incidents; fostering resilience, and encouraging early intervention. However, studies have highlighted several issues in its application. 

One significant concern is the inconsistency in training and application across different units. This results in uneven support for affected personnel with many falling through the net entirely. Additionally, the stigma associated with mental health issues within the military culture together with the fear of how it will affect their career often discourages individuals from seeking help. 

The Policy states that Commanders at all levels must be able to identify a potentially traumatic incident; must determine the level of trauma-related pressure experienced by those under their command; identify potentially traumatised personnel and make support and treatment available to those individuals as appropriate through use of the TRiM process.

Despite clear guidance this is still not consistently being done. Those who have been traumatised are all too often overlooked. 

Furthermore, there are a lack of comprehensive follow-up procedures to monitor the long-term wellbeing of those identified as at risk, leading to cases where initial interventions fail to prevent chronic, avoidable, psychological conditions. 

What are the consequences of the failures

The consequences of these implementation failures are evident in the rising cases of long-term psychiatric injuries among personnel. For instance, recent reports have highlighted the tragic suicides of senior, military doctors who had been exposed to extreme trauma over years of service, underscoring the inadequacies in the current support system. 

In my role as a military injury expert at Irwin Mitchell, I know that addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Enhancing the consistency and quality of TRiM training across all units is essential to ensure that all personnel receive adequate support. Combating the stigma surrounding mental health within the military can encourage more individuals to seek help without fear of judgement. Implementing robust follow-up mechanisms is crucial to monitor the long-term mental health of Service Personnel, ensuring that early interventions lead to sustained recovery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the TRiM policy has the potential to mitigate the psychological impact of traumatic experiences in the military, its current implementation flaws have led to prolonged psychiatric injuries. A concerted effort to address these shortcomings is imperative to safeguard the mental well-being of those who serve.