Support for Veterans

Mental illness is common and can affect anyone, including serving and ex-members of the armed forces and their families.

Some people cope with support from family and friends, or by getting help with other issues in their lives. Others need clinical care and treatment, which could be from the NHS, support groups or charities.

Although it’s completely normal to experience anxiety or depression after traumatic events, this can be tough to deal with.

Furthermore, the culture of the armed forces can make getting help for a mental health problem appear difficult.

Some people may not experience some of these symptoms until a few years after leaving the armed forces.

They may also delay getting help for a number of reasons, such as thinking they can cope, fear of criticism, or feeling that NHS therapists will not understand.

If you think you or your partner may be experiencing mental health difficulties, you can get expert help from the NHS Veterans’ Mental Health Transition Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS) or the NHS Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS). To access these services, you need to go through TILS. This can be done by contacting the service directly by phone: 0300 365 2000 or by email: [email protected], or by asking a GP or a military charity to refer you.

More information about the support available for armed forces and veterans and how to access it is available here>