Health and wellbeing for armed forces

Military veteran standing between two flagsHealthcare for the armed forces community

Healthcare information and support for the UK's 10 million-strong armed forces community, including serving personnel, reservists, families and veterans.

Military Veterans' Service

An NHS psychological therapy service working with ex-service personnel and their families, across the North West. Helping those that experience emotional difficulties because of difficult experiences or simply adjusting to civilian life. They provide talking therapies but do not provide service users with a diagnosis. You can get help by calling 0300 323 0707.

Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)

The St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is a registered charity that works for the Ministry of Defence and with other charitable partners to provide practical and emotional support to Armed Forces Families and other entitled civilians when they are in hospital, rehabilitation or recovery centres.

Priority NHS care

When service personnel leave the armed forces, their healthcare is the responsibility of the NHS. All veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS hospital care for any condition, as long as it's related to their service, whether or not they receive a war pension.

Combat stress

Veterans' mental health charity that provides treatment for ex-service personnel suffering with mental ill-health including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. It doesn't matter how young or old you are, where you served, or whether you saw combat - they may be able to help. If you are the loved one or carer of a ex-service personnel, there's support for you too.

Royal British Legion

The UK's leading Services charity provides practical, emotional and financial support to all members of the British armed forces past and present, and their families. Whether it's families coping with the loss of a loved one, help at home to adapt to independent living, recovery centres for injured personnel, money and careers advice, or residential care - they can help.

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)

The UK's oldest national military charity provides advice, emotional and social support and signposting services to serving personnel, veterans and the families of members of the armed forces.

Samaritans

Confidential service to talk to any time you like, in your own way, and off the record - about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.

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