Mental Health, Welfare and PTSD
Mental health challenges can affect everyone at some point in their lives. Military life can add to normal life stresses and the transition into civilian life affects not only the serving person, but the entire family.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can affect those from the Armed Forces community due to their service.
There are a range of organisations who can support with your mental health and wellbeing – you are not alone.
OpCOURAGE is the NHS’ mental health specialist service, designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, veterans and their families. For support, call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net.
Local Organisations
Our partner, the Veterans Community Network (VCN) is a peer led service using veterans and reservists who have undergone training in peer mentoring and veteran’s mental health first aid. The organisation provides intensive support to veterans, reservists and family members living in Northamptonshire who need support to access and engage with treatment and support services.
The VCN also offer a range of social activities including a veteran’s hub, breakfast club and outdoor activities at their Rendez-Vous point in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire.
Watch this video to hear more about the services available from the VCN.
The Royal British Legion provides a wide range of welfare support. You can call the team on 0808 802 8080 or get in touch with your local RBL branch.
Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHFT) provides a wide range of mental health services through their Talking Therapies programme including peer support, wellbeing webinars and cognitive behaviour therapy. You can register for the service by calling 0300 999 1616.
Northamptonshire Mind is a mental health charity that offers a wide range of support. Each office is run independently and offers a variety of activities including 1:1 counselling and group sessions. They also run Crisis Cafes throughout the county in partnership with NHFT.
National Organisations
Combat Stress support veterans, serving personnel and their families. They offer support online, or you can call their 24-hour helpline on 0800 138 1619.
The Warrior Programme offers free residential courses for veterans and family members of those serving. The programme is intended to help build confidence, improve self-esteem, and manage emotions. Following the 3-day programme, you will be given 12 months of distant support. For more information call 0808 801 0898.
Togetherall offers online and anonymous peer support that is accessible anytime, anywhere. You can engage with self-help programmes, use it as a creative outlet and connect with others, all while remaining safe and secure.
Help for Heroes run several courses aimed at improving your mental health. They provide a range of talking therapies, suicide awareness training, self-help guides and courses through their Recovery College.
Samaritans can help with a whole range of mental health problems. They are available 24 hours a day, everyday and you can call them on 116 123. The Samaritans guide to suicide prevention is written specifically with the Armed Forces in mind. It provides a useful resource for those who are suffering, and families of those suffering with ill mental health.
PTSD Resolution is a military charity that can support you with therapy for PTSD. You can contact them on 0300 302 0551.
If you are a military family member and a victim or perpetrator of domestic abuse, the government provide guidance and support to help you. You can access the guidance page here.