For some military veterans, experiences during military service, or after their transition to civilian life, can trigger problems with their mental health and well-being. These issues can sometimes arise many years after leaving the Armed Forces.
Some military veterans find it difficult to get help from traditional NHS services so the NHS set up the specialist Transition Intervention and Liaison Services (TILS) across England to support veterans.
Locally, we provide TILS services for military veterans in County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire and the Vale of York. This service is part of the TILS North England service.
How can TILS help?
TILS can support veterans with a range of mental health problems including anxiety, depression, problems controlling anger, alcohol and drug misuse, sleep problems, problems with adjustment and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Asking for help early on before problems get too overwhelming means TILS can also support military veterans get access to early treatment and support on a wide range of areas including employment, reduction in alcohol consumption, housing and social support.
TILS also provides therapeutic treatment for complex mental health difficulties and psychological trauma.
Three main areas of support
TILS support military veterans in three main areas:
- Transition – working with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to offer mental health support for armed forces personnel approaching discharge
- Intervention – TILS clinicians with expert understanding of armed forces life and culture support service personnel approaching discharge and veterans who have complex mental health needs
- Liaison – TILS supports veterans who have non-complex mental health needs to get support from mainstream NHS care services.
Can I receive support from TILS?
TILS is here to support people you if you:
- are a resident in England
- have served in the UK armed forces for at least a full day
- are registered with a GP practice in England or are willing to register with a GP. Visit the NHS website to find out details of GP practices in your local area
- are able to provide their military service number or another form of acceptable proof of eligibility.
How can I get help from TILS?
You can self-refer to TILS by telephone or email (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm). You will be able to have an initial chat with the TILS team and will be put in contact with the right service/s to support you.
Telephone: 0303 123 1145*
Email: VWALS@nhs.net
*If the phone line is busy, please leave a message along with your contact details and you will receive a call back within 72 hours. If we cannot get hold of you by telephone we will write to you.
You can ask you GP to refer you to TILS:
- tell your GP that you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces:This will help your GP to better understand any military related health conditions that you may have and ensure that you are referred, where appropriate, to dedicated services for ex-forces
- give your GP the paperwork that your military medical centre gave you, including any medical records: If you’ve recently left the forces, it is important to do this to help ensure your military health record transfers to your NHS health record. This will give your GP information on your health and ensure that any ongoing care and treatment is continued.
You can also ask a military charity, such as Combat Stress, the Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes and SSAFA, to refer you.
TILS services across England
- North of England TILS: call 0303 123 1145 or email vwals@nhs.net
- South West of England TILS: call 0300 365 0300 or email sc.veterans@nhs.net
- Midlands or East of England TILS: call 0300 323 0137 or email mhm@nhs.net
- London or South East of England TILS: call 020 3317 6818 or email cim-tr.veteranstilservice-lse@nhs.net
Other services that may be able to help
NHS Veterans’ Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS)
The HIS provides care and treatment for veterans who are experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent help. It will do this by working with local mental health services that are already treating a veteran, to improve their experiences and ultimately their health and lives. See the Veterans’ Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS) website for more information.
NHS Veterans Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS)
The CTS is a specialist community mental health service working to support veterans and their families transition out of the armed forces and beyond. Support from CTS is available via TILS. See the Veterans Mental Health Complex Treatment Service website for more information.
NHS website
Royal British Legion
0800 802 8080 daily 8am-8pm
www.britishlegion.org.uk
SSAFA
0800 731 4880 Monday to Friday 9:00-17:30
www.ssafa.org.uk
Combat Stress
Phone lines 24 hours seven days a week.
Veterans and their family can call 0800 1381 619
Serving personnel and their families can call 0800 323 4444
Help for Heroes