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Armed Forces and Mental Health

mental health

Mental health can be a challenge for everyone. But we at the AFC especially recognise the importance of mental health management for current, or ex, Service members. 

We recognise the unique challenges that Service Members and Veterans face, and are committed to providing resources for mental health management. Below is a list of schemes that can provide mental health support for Service members and their families.

Veterans Welfare Service (VWS)

Run by the MOD, the VWS provides free one-on-one support for veterans and their families. For more information, go to:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk

Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH)

Military centres across the UK, provided by the MOD, that offer specialist outpatient mental health care for serving personnel. For more information, contact your medical officer, or go to: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mental-health-support-for-the-uk-armed-forces

Defence Medical Welfare Service

Independent charity that aims to provide medical welfare for Service members and Veterans. For more information, go to:

https://dmws.org.uk

The Royal British Legion

UK’s largest Armed Forces charity providing mental health resources and a crisis line for Service Members and Veterans. For more information, go to: 

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/physical-and-mental-wellbeing

Combat Stress

UK’s leading charity for Veterans’ mental health. Provides advice and specialist treatment to Veterans experiencing mental health issues. For more information, go to :

https://combatstress.org.uk

HeadFIT for Life

Self-help tools for mental health management designed specifically for Service members and members of the armed forces community. For more information, go to: 

https://headfit.org/home/

op COURAGE

A specialist NHS service designed to provide mental health support for Veterans and their families. For more information, go to:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/veterans-reservists/

The Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme

NHS-provided assessment and treatment advice for veterans and reserves who believe that their deployment may have affected their mental health. For more information, go to:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-war-veterans#the-veterans-and-reserves-mental-health-programme

Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs

Helps to support the wellbeing of active Service personnel and Veterans by providing a relaxed, safe, social environment to help remove feelings of social exclusion and isolation. For more information, go to:

https://afvbc.com

Togetherall

A mental health support service that provides anonymous, round-the-clock online support with counsellors as well as a supportive, forum-led community. All Service members, Veterans, and their families are eligible for access at any time. For more information, go to: 

https://togetherall.com/en-gb/

Help for Heroes: Hidden Wounds

Mental health therapy service run by Help for Heroes, designed for Veterans and their families. For more information, go to: 

https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/mental-health-and-wellbeing/

SSAFA

Charity providing a range of services for Service members and Veterans, including resources for mental health management and emotional wellbeing. For more information, got to:

https://www.ssafa.org.uk

PTSD Resolution

Independent charity providing specialist counselling for Veterans, reservists, and their family members. For more information, go to:

https://ptsdresolution.org

Mind

Charity providing a array of resources for mental health management. For more information, go to:

https://www.mind.org.uk