MSP pledges to do everything she can to support the mental health and well being of veterans
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This week is Armed Forces Week with Armed Forces Day taking place on Saturday, June 26.
Prior to her election to Holyrood as the MSP for Banffshire And Buchan Coast, Karen Adam was a Councillor in Aberdeenshire who in August 2019 received the Gold Award in the Ministry of Defence's Employer Recognition scheme.
This award is given in commemoration of the support shown to members of the armed forces and their families.
She aims to continue her support for veterans at Holyrood, and said: "I know the strength of support for the armed and cadet forces that there is throughout the Banffshire And Buchan Coast constituency, and this week we recognise the service and debt we owe to all those who are or have been members of our armed forces.
"I will continue to do all I can to protect their interests along with their families, especially any issues surrounding the mental health and wellbeing of veterans.
“This comes at a time when such concerns are paramount in our minds.
"It is important that we lead by example by also creating more employment opportunities and reach out to new ideas around veteran support.”
The Scottish Government has acknowledged the work necessary to engage with the business community and employers through an awareness raising campaign to try to expand the number of employment opportunities that are available to veterans.
The MSP added: "I support the ambition of the Scottish Government to increase the veterans fund and expand its criteria so that it can work to create more innovative projects with a particular focus on early service leavers.
"We should focus upon investing in our conventional defences, support our Armed Forces, and also invest in things like cyber security.
"I look forward to better support for military spouses and their children in Scotland, and to continue the Veterans Railcard.
"We will continue investment in and expand the Veterans First Point network – which, of course, across the country provides a lot of help and support to veterans and their families.
"I hope that the census in Scotland next year will include a specific question about previous service so that we can identify veterans but crucially, families of veterans that may need special support.
"We need strong well-resourced Armed Forces to keep our country safe and, of course, where appropriate, to collaborate with our allies to make the world a safer place as well.
"This year, on top of all the pressures we have been under, I salute our armed forces and pay tribute to the armed forces community and the fantastic work that they do."
