Veterans
Mental illness is common and can affect anyone, including serving and ex-members of the armed forces and their families.
While some people cope by getting support from their 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 seeking 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 seeking help for a number of reasons, such as thinking that they can cope, concern about the stigma associated with asking for help or feeling that NHS therapists won’t understand.
Some Veterans may wish to access The North Yorkshire Talking Therapies Service, others may want to contact service that have been developed by the NHS nationally, see below.
NHS Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS)
This is a dedicated local-community-based service for veterans and those transitioning out of the armed forces with a discharge date.
The service provides a range of treatment, from recognising the early signs of mental health problems and providing access to early support, to therapeutic treatment for complex mental health difficulties and psychological trauma.
Where appropriate, help is also provided for other needs that may affect mental health and wellbeing – for example, with housing, finances, employment, social support and reducing alcohol consumption.
NHS Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS)
This is an enhanced local-community-based service for ex-service personnel who have military-related complex mental health problems that haven’t improved with earlier care and treatment.
The service provides intensive care and treatment including, but not limited to, support for drug and alcohol misuse, physical health, employment, housing, relationships and finances, as well as occupational and trauma-focused therapies.
Accessing NHS mental health care for veterans
To access these services, you need to go through the TILS. This can be done by contacting the service directly, or by asking your GP or a military charity to refer you.
To contact the service directly:
- in the north of England, call 0191 441 5974 or email vwals@nhs.net
- in the Midlands or east of England, call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net
- in London or the southeast of England, call 020 3317 6818 or email cim-tr.veteranstilservice-lse@nhs.net
- in the southwest of England, call 0300 365 0300 or email sc.veterans@nhs.net
To access these services, you must:
- be a resident in England
- have served in the UK armed forces for a full day
- be registered with a GP practice in England or be willing to register with a GP
- be able to provide your military service number or another acceptable form of proof of eligibility
Upon receipt of referral, patients will be offered an initial face-to-face assessment within 2 weeks and, where appropriate, a first clinical appointment 2 weeks after that.
To view the NHS Mental Health Leaflet for Veterans click here