Accessing Ex-Military Mental Health Support in Civvy Street
Created on 23 Jan 2025
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Updated on 28 Jan 2025
Created on 23 Jan 2025
•
Updated on 28 Jan 2025
Accessing ex-military mental health support in civvy street can feel overwhelming with a number of organisations offering support. Here, we give an introduction on where you can turn for help and access the right support for you and your loved ones. Seeking help is a huge first step and be assured support is available 24/7 whether you are serving, ex-military, reservist, spouse or dependant.
Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service providing support for transitioning military personnel, reservists, veterans and their families. Op COURAGE includes the following NHS mental health services:
There are a range of services available, which includes supporting military families affected by mental health problems, as well as providing support for more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma.
It does not matter how long ago you left the Armed Forces and you can contact Op COURAGE if you are still serving and have a discharge date. You must also be:
You can find out more on the NHS Op COURAGE website.
The Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme is a Ministry of Defence specialist service, providing mental health assessments and treatment advice for veterans (who have deployed since 1982) and reserves who have been deployed overseas since 1st January, 2003. The programme supports veterans and reservists who believe their deployment may have affected their mental health, working closely with the NHS and Defence Medical Services to provide treatment and support.
There are a number of military service charities who specialise in providing key mental health support to veterans and their families. You are able to find a number of these opportunities on Troopr including the following charities who offer vital support:
Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health, offering round the clock support online and on the phone. As well as supporting ex-military personnel and their families in the community and treatment centres.
Help For Heroes has a dedicated Psychological Wellbeing Hidden Wounds team, offering free services to support those still serving, veterans and their families.They also offer psycho-educational courses, working closely with the NHS to help you access further support if needed.
In collaboration with the NHS, Walking With The Wounded delivers employment, mental health, care coordination and volunteering programmes. The programmes are designed 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.
There are a number of Service charities specialising in offering help to veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). You can find out more about the organisations on the NHS website or search our range of organisations and opportunities here.
As well as specialist military charities, other charities like Mind and the Samaritans are on hand offering advice and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems.
As we continue to grow, we will be able to signpost you to get the right support you need with opportunities from organisations across the country. If you sign up (for free) to be a part of Troopr, we can keep you up-to-date with what mental health support is out there for you and your family.