Life outside of the Armed Forces can be very different and at times challenging.

The NHS understands this and is here to support your journey – whether you’re due to leave the Armed Forces, recently left or left many years ago.

Across England, the NHS offers a range of specialist veterans mental and physical health services that are provided by people who are either from the Armed Forces community or are highly experienced in working with serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families.  These services include the following:

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, expert help is available from Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.  It doesn’t matter if you’re due to leave the Armed Forces or already left, Op COURAGE is here for you. 

To get help, you can contact OP COURAGE or you can ask your GP, a charity or someone else, such as a family member or friend, to do this. 

The service will arrange for you to have an assessment to make sure you get the right care and support. We know that everyone is different, so the service offers a range of treatment to help take care of your mental health and wellbeing needs.

To find details of your nearest OP COURAGE service, visit www.nhs.uk/opcourage 

Veterans Trauma Network 
The Veterans Trauma Network (VTN) provides specialist care and support for veterans who have physical health problems due to their Service in the Armed Forces.  The VTN is a group of 18 NHS trusts across England that is supported by a team of consultants, surgeons and NHS staff who have a military background or understanding of the Armed Forces.  

These experts will work with you to develop the best clinical plan for your needs, ensuring you are supported by a team who understand your health needs.  This includes help from a Veteran Support Worker who will learn about your circumstances (both medical and non-medical) and support you through treatment, including referring you, where appropriate, to specialist care, treatment and help for you and your family.

To access the VTN, speak to your GP who can refer you by emailing england.veteranstraumanetwork@nhs.net

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/armedforceshealth
To get help from these services, you must:
• be a resident in England and have served in the UK Armed Forces for at least a full day
• be registered with a GP practice in England or be willing and eligible to register with a GP
• provide your military service number or another form of eligibility.