Help for Veterans - Mental Health

If you are a member of the Armed Forces community, such as:

  • active serving personnel
  • reservist
  • veteran
  • family member of someone who served

and you are struggling with your mental health, there is help and support available. The below organisations can help.  

Veterans' Gateway

The Veterans' Gateway is the first point of contact for veterans seeking any form of support. It is a 24-hour helpline manned by veterans.

Op COURAGE programme

A NHS mental health support service for veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families.

Warrior Programme

The Warrior programme helps you to manage your emotions and to develop the resilience, focus and motivation to succeed in today's world.

The programme has been developed over the last ten years to meet the demands and challenges experienced by past and present members of the armed forces and their families.

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund

The RAF Benevolent Fund has a strong tradition of looking after RAF families in the UK and overseas. They support all serving and former members of the RAF, as well as their partners and dependent children.

They provide free access to mental health support and therapy through their wellbeing service.

Royal British Legion - schemes for veterans

The Royal British Legion lists NHS community services available to veterans. Professionals familiar with veteran related mental health issues help to deliver these services, so they are in a place to help.

Lines are open from 8am-8pm every day.

SSAFA - The Armed Forces Charity

Support is available for people at any stage in their military career - from the youngest recruit to the oldest veteran. No one’s service is ever forgotten.

The SSAFA have more than 5,000 trained volunteers who provide personalised, face-to-face support to those in their local area.

Combat Stress

Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. They provide support both on the phone and online. Services are free of charge to veterans.

For almost a century the charity has helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Support can be offered both in the community and at its treatment centres. 

Mind

Mind is a mental health charity offering advice and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems. They have online resources on mental health and guides to support and services.