For veterans
Improved NHS veterans’ mental health services are available across England. If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, these services can provide a range of treatment and support regardless of when you left the armed forces. This includes recognising the early signs of mental health problems and providing access to early treatment and support, as well as therapeutic treatment for complex mental health difficulties and psychological trauma. Patients are also provided with help, where appropriate, with employment, reduction in alcohol consumption, housing and social support.
To access these services, you must meet the following criteria:
- be resident in England
- have served in the UK armed forces for a full day (or be a family member/carer who is experiencing difficulties relating to time and experiences of Military service)
- be registered with a GP practice in England or be willing to register with a GP
- be able to provide your military service number or another form of acceptable proof of eligibility.
If you meet these criteria, you can self-refer or request referral via a health care professional or service charity.
Upon receipt of referral, you will be offered an initial assessment within two weeks and where appropriate a first clinical appointment two weeks thereafter. These appointments are available via telephone, video/online platform or face to face.
Do you need help?
To find out more, speak to a health care professional or service charity or use the contact details below to get in contact with your local service.
The North of England region has a single point of contact for ease.
Call: 0800 652 2867
Email: VTILS@cntw.nhs.uk
For armed forces personnel approaching discharge
Armed forces personnel approaching discharge can now get treatment and support at NHS
veterans’ mental health services across England and thereafter into their civilian life, whether this is months or years later.
If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, these services can provide a range of treatment and support in close liaison with Defence Medical Services (DMS). This includes recognising the early signs of mental health problems and providing access to early treatment and support, as well as therapeutic treatment for complex mental health difficulties and psychological trauma.
Patients are also provided with help, where appropriate, with employment, reduction in alcohol consumption, housing and social support.
To access these services whilst you are still in the armed forces, you must meet the following criteria:
- be a resident in England
- have an identified or diagnosed mental health illness / disorder; AND
- have a discharge date from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) or be found to be unfit for continued military service by their medical board; OR
- have been identified by the Departments of Community Mental Health as requiring follow on psychiatric care on discharge from the MOD; OR
- have had their pre-release medical and been identified by their DMS GP as requiring mental health transition support; OR
- have had a pre-release medical before they self-refer.
Upon receipt of referral, you will be offered an initial assessment within two weeks and where appropriate a first clinical appointment two weeks thereafter. These appointments are available via telephone, video/online platform or face to face.
Do you need help?
To find out more, speak to your DMS GP or use the information below to get in contact with your local service.
North of England single point of contact: 0800 652 2867 or email VTILS@cntw.nhs.uk
Further information
Information on the service can be found on the Veteran and Armed forces healthcare pages of the NHS website.
Other services for veterans
Combat Stress, the leading veterans’ mental health charity
Helpline for veterans, serving personnel, and their families
If you’re currently serving, or have served in the UK Armed Forces, Combat Stress provide a 24-hour helpline which you can call for emotional support and advice.
This is not a crisis service. If you call and you are in crisis, Combat Stress will direct you to someone who can help, like the Samaritans or the A&E department at your local hospital.
MOD Military Mental Health Helpline
For serving personnel and their families.
A 24-hour helpline service for serving troops and their families. This helpline is operated by Combat Stress.
Royal British Legion (RBL)
The Royal British Legion helps members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. Support starts after one day of service and continues through life, long after service is over for dependents and carers too.
Contact the helpline team on 0808 802 8080.
Samaritans
The Samaritans are available around the clock – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
No matter what you’re going through, you can call. You don’t have to be
suicidal. Call 116 123 for free, any time, on any phone
SSAFA – The Armed Forces Charity
SSAFA provides practical, emotional and financial support for those who serve or have served.
Togetherall
Togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing.
All armed forces personnel, veterans and their families (16+) also have free access.
Veterans Trauma Network (VTN)
Despite the name “trauma”, VTN deals with all physical health problems in veterans as a result of their time in service – from recurrent heat illness to problems after limb loss, from traumatic brain injury to service related fertility issues. VTN are closely linked to Op COURAGE :The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and charities such as BLESMA and Blind
Veterans UK so can offer comprehensive care focused around your needs.
Ask your GP to refer you to the VTN at England.
Email: veteranstraumanetwork@nhs.net
Veterans UK
The MOD’s Veterans UK helpline can provide support with many issues
including benefits, housing and welfare.
Normal opening hours are 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
Call: 0808 191 4218
Veterans’ Gateway
The Veterans’ Gateway is a quick and easy first point of contact for whatever support you need. It’s available 24/7 and can signpost you to relevant
services.
Many of the team are veterans themselves so understand the issues people face after leaving the armed forces.
Call: 0808 802 1212
Walking with the Wounded
Walking with the wounded (WWTW) delivers employment, mental health, care coordination and volunteering programmes in collaboration with the NHS. Our purposes is to get those who served, and their families, whether mentally, socially or physically wounded, back on their feet and making a positive contribution once more. We believe that those who served, deserve.
Call: 01263 863 900
Contact us
For more information about our service, the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention & Liaison Service call 0800 652 2867 or email VTILS@cntw.nhs.uk
Mental health support for veterans leaflet Map of services for veterans
