National Organisations
NHS OP Courage – Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
OP Courage is for serving personnel approaching discharge, and for veterans. The service provides a range of treatment, from access to early support, to therapeutic treatment for complex mental health difficulties, and psychological trauma.
NHS website – mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists
Veterans Gateway
First point of contact for veterans and their families providing information, advice and support.
0808 802 1212 or text 81212
Veterans’ Gateway website
Combat Stress
The charity Combat Stress provides self help advice on their website. They offer mental health helplines for 24/7 confidential advice and support.
Veterans and their families helpline: 08001 381 619
Serving personnel and their families helpline: 08003 234 444
You can also text on 07537 173 683 and email the Combat Stress helpline
Combat Stress website
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
DMWS provides practical and emotional support to military personnel, veterans, their families and other entitled civilians when they’re in hospital, rehabilitation recovery centres.
DMWS website
Help for Heroes
The Help for Heroes charity provides physical, psychological, financial and welfare support to wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, and their families. Contact Help for Heroes through their website to see how they can support you.
Help for Heroes website
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion gives advice and support on wellbeing on their website and through their community branches. For additional advice and support, the Royal British Legion also have an online chat and helpline that is open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
Helpline: 08088 028 080
Royal British Legion website
SSAFA
SSAFA provides lifelong emotional and practical support. To get support, call their helpline or use their online chat Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.30pm.
Helpline: 08002 606 767
SSAFA website
STOLL
For veterans who struggle to live independently. STOLL provides housing and support services to help veterans live independently.
STOLL website
Togetherall
Togetherall is a mental health support service that provides anonymous, round-the-clock online support, with trained counsellors available at all times. There’s a supportive community and lots of free resources that all armed forces personnel, reservists, veterans and their families can use at any time.
Togetherall website
NHS Veterans’ Trauma Network
Provides specialist care to veterans with physical injuries related to their time in service.
NHS website – Veterans, service leavers, and non-mobilised reservists
Armed Forces Charities for People with Specific Healthcare Conditions
Blesma
For veterans who have experienced life-changing limb loss, lost the use of a limb, or lost sight during service, as well as their families.
Blesma offers advice and support through their local support officers. Blesma also provides financial assistance to help with the additional costs of disability.
Blesma phone number: 02085 901 124
Blesma website
Blind Veterans
For veterans who have experienced sight loss and their families.
Blind Veterans offer community groups, rehabilitation and support with care as well as advice on their website.
Phone number: 08003 897 979
Blind Veterans UK website
Women’s Armed Forces Charities
Salute Her UK
For women veterans who are survivors of military sexual trauma and their families.
Salute Her UK provides a support service which offers mental health therapy and interventions for women survivors of military sexual trauma in a single sex environment.
Salute Her website
LGBTQIA+ Armed Forces Charities
Fighting with Pride
For LGBTQIA+ serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Fighting with Pride advise on how to get help and provide information for LGBTQIA+ members of the armed forces community.
Fighting With Pride website
Addiction Charities
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
AA is a free self-help network. Its “12-step” programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups. AA believes people with drink problems need to give up alcohol permanently.
Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain website
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery runs a network of self-help and mutual aid meetings where participants help themselves and fellow members with recovery from any kind of addictive behaviour.
SMART Recovery website
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