Army uniform

Support for veterans

If you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces, we recognise that your experiences may be different from the general population. Whether your difficulties are recent or have been present for many years, support is available. At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies, we offer free, confidential support for veterans experiencing common mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis to access support.

Priority access for veterans

We recognise the commitment and service of veterans and aim to ensure timely access to support. Under the NHS Constitution for England, veterans who have a health condition related to their time in the Armed Forces are entitled to priority access to NHS care, where this is clinically appropriate.

We will identify when someone is a veteran and we will prioritise treatment for veterans whose mental health condition is linked to their time in the armed forces.

How to access support

You can refer yourself directly to NHS Talking Therapies here: https://www.talkingtherapies.hwhct.nhs.uk/selfreferral
Or ask your GP or another professional to refer you. When you contact us, please let us know if you are a veteran so we can ensure your support is tailored appropriately.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a supporter of the Armed Forces, we are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly. It includes a core statement of commitment that no member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public or commercial services compared to any other citizen and that in some circumstances, special treatment may be appropriate. Veterans and their families should not be disadvantaged from accessing appropriate health services, for example, if they are on a waiting list and are changing their location. The NHS always prioritises people with the most urgent clinical need first, but thereafter it is important that armed forces service related injuries receive timely treatment.

Employer Recognition Scheme

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) was launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employers that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community. This includes the Reserves, Service leavers, Armed Forces veterans, the wounded, injured and sick, cadets, military spouses or partners and their families. The Trust committed and signed up to fulfilling the pledges.

Veteran support - Resources

  • Veterans Gateway
    Find support for UK armed forces veterans and their families, including help with finance, healthcare, employment, housing, social care and more.

  • SSAFA
    Addiction, relationship breakdown, debt, homelessness, post-traumatic stress, depression and disability are all issues that can affect our members of our Armed Forces community. Many of these problems only become apparent when an individual has to leave their life in the Forces and join ‘Civvy Street’. SSAFA is committed to helping our brave men and women overcome these problems, and rebuild their lives.

  • Combat Stress
    They provide specialist clinical treatment and support for veterans from the British Armed Forces, focusing on those with PTSD, Complex-PTSD, and moral injury resulting from their experiences during military service. When some military personnel leave service, their experiences can’t easily be left behind.

  • Help for Heroes
    They have a mental health therapy service called Hidden Wounds. Our therapists use a range of approaches to support veterans, their family members aged over 18, and those who’ve served under UK command. They also provide practical support for other challenges that may be affecting your family's well-being.

  • British Legion
    They support serving and ex-serving personnel all year round, every day of the week. Their support starts after one day of service and continues through life, long after service is over.

  • PTSD Resolution
    A UK charity that provides free mental health support for veterans, reservists, and their families struggling with trauma from military service or other life challenges. 

  • StepWay
    A registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation, dedicated to enhancing mental wellbeing and supporting your journey to a purposeful and fulfilling civilian life. Providing support services in the Worcestershire area, with the addition of a meeting/therapy room which is open to partner charities for free.

  • Op Courage (mental wellbeing)
    Find mental health information and support for veterans, service leavers, reservists, families and carers.

  • Op Restore (physical wellbeing)
    Find out about healthcare and welfare support that's available, including Op RESTORE, The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service.

Looking after your wellbeing

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wellbeing and Recovery College

Courses and workshops to give people the tools, skills and understanding that they need to support their mental health and wellbeing. Visit the Recovery College website to find out more. 

SilverCloud online therapy

SilverCloud courses are designed to help you improve and maintain your wellbeing by changing the way you think and feel about things. There are several free courses to pick from including positive body image, panic, depression, anxiety, stress and many more. Find out more about SilverCloud.

Every Mind Matters

Expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing. Visit the Every Mind Matters website. 

Worcestershire Community Services Directory (if you live in Worcestershire)

The Worcestershire Community Services Directory sets out all of the local information, advice, tools, guidance and local support available for people in Worcestershire.

Talk Community (if you live in Herefordshire)

Talk Community is a website detailing the services, groups, community hubs, events, and information available to people in Herefordshire.

Podcasts

Podcasts can be a really good way of relaxing the mind, listen to features, interviews and a number of people involved in mental health, including people have experience mental health difficulties, campaigners and mental health experts. To find out more visit the podcast resources page.

Urgent mental health support and advice in a crisis

If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact the Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24 hour urgent mental health helpline by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.

Alternatively, if you think you need medical help right now, NHS 111 online can tell you what to do next. 

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

  • Yours or someone’s life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
  • You do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe

If you are already being supported by Mental Health Services in Herefordshire or Worcestershire, you should try and speak to your usual team before contacting the urgent helpline, unless it’s outside of core hours, a weekend or bank holiday.

If you are not currently in contact with any mental health services you can phone the mental health helpline for urgent advice.

  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing and experiencing a mental health crisis contact the SHOUT Text Crisis service by texting DEAF to 85258  for free and immediate support. If yours, or someone else’s life is in immediate danger for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose, or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe youcan contact 999 by using the Relay UK service . The service is provided for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired as an alternative option for contacting an emergency service.
    • The team will offer advice, support and, if required, an assessment to understand how you are feeling. When calling the number, you can expect to speak to Mental Health Advisors and/or trained Mental Health Clinicians who will be able to listen to your concerns and help make appropriate plans with you to support you. If you are unsure what to do, staff on this number will be able to guide you to the appropriate choice.

If you just need to talk, any time of day or night

These services offer confidential advice from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult:

  • Samaritans— Samaritans provide 24/7 emotional support for anyone in distress. Call 116 123 for free, confidential support at any time or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours.
  • Shout Crisis Text Line — a free, confidential and 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs support. Text "REACHOUT" to 85258.
  • YoungMinds Textline — if you are a young person struggling to cope, YoungMinds offers free, 24/7 text messaging support wherever you are in the UK. If you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling, text YM to 85258. 

Alternative local support

  • Worcestershire Safe Haven — provides telephone support and face-to-face appointments to Worcestershire residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Call 01905 600400 any day of the week between 6pm and midnight for support and signposting.
  • Herefordshire Mind Safe Haven — if you find yourself in crisis or need urgent support with your mental health, the Safe Haven is a safe and friendly place that you can come and access mental health support and advice. The Safe Haven telephone and email support service is available every evening, 7 days a week, from 5pm to 10pm; call 01432 372407 or email safehaven@herefordshire-mind.org.uk.
  • Melo — for young people aged 25 and under, Melo offers therapy, workshops, and online counselling for mental health support. Referrals can be made via their website, telephone, or WhatsApp. Contact Melo Hereford on 01432 800809 or Worcester on 01905 673549. 

National support

  • National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK — offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call on 0800 587 0800 (open 24/7).
  • Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) — you can call CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day)  if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
  • Papyrus HOPELINEUK247 — is a suicide prevention helpline for anyone aged 35, or if you have concerns about a young person who might be struggling. Call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 or text 88247.