Seeking support is a sign of strength
You do not need to wait until a crisis develops. Early support can improve wellbeing, relationships, confidence and long-term recovery.
Understanding Armed Forces mental health
During service
Operational pressure, deployment, injury, separation, responsibility and exposure to trauma can affect wellbeing.
After service
Identity, routine, employment, housing, finances and social connection may change.
Families
Partners, children, carers and bereaved families can also experience emotional and practical pressures.
PTSD and military trauma
Possible traumatic experiences
- Combat and military operations
- Serious accidents or injuries
- Witnessing death
- Terrorist incidents
- Training incidents
- Humanitarian operations
Possible symptoms
- Flashbacks and nightmares
- Intrusive memories
- Avoidance
- Constant alertness
- Sleep problems
- Anger, guilt or emotional numbness
PTSD can be treated
Support may include trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, medication, specialist veteran services and wider practical support.
Op COURAGE — England
Op COURAGE is the NHS specialist mental-health and wellbeing service in England for veterans, reservists, serving personnel due to leave the military and their families.
Mental health
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma and adjustment difficulties.
Related needs
Substance misuse, physical-health needs, relationships and social difficulties.
Access
People may be referred or may contact their regional service directly.
Transition to civilian life
Identity and purpose
Leaving a military role can change structure, belonging and identity.
Employment
Translating military experience into civilian language can be difficult.
Housing and finances
Support may be needed with accommodation, benefits, debt or compensation.
Social connection
Loss of military community can contribute to isolation.
Family adjustment
Roles and routines may change for partners and children.
Mental health
Difficulties may appear immediately or many years later.
Military families
Partners and spouses
Frequent moves, deployment, isolation, employment difficulty and caring pressure.
Children
School changes, separation, anxiety, grief and disrupted routines.
Bereaved families
Specialist emotional, welfare and financial support may be available.
Anxiety, depression and stress
Not all veterans experience PTSD. Many seek help for anxiety, depression, panic, low mood, burnout, sleep difficulties, anger or isolation.
Possible signs
Constant worry, poor concentration, sleep problems, irritability and loss of motivation.
Life pressures
Civilian adjustment, family change, injury, bereavement, housing or money.
Support
GPs, NHS Talking Therapies, specialist veteran services, counselling and peer support.
Moral injury
It may involve
- Witnessing events that conflict with personal values
- Actions someone later struggles to process
- Being unable to prevent harm
- Feeling betrayed by trusted people or institutions
Possible effects
- Guilt
- Shame
- Regret
- Anger
- Loss of trust
- Spiritual conflict
Support may include specialist therapy, veteran services, chaplaincy, peer support and trauma-informed care.
Alcohol, substances and gambling
Some people use alcohol, medication, drugs or gambling to cope with trauma, pain, anxiety, depression or sleep problems.
Alcohol
Dependency, binge drinking and drinking to sleep or manage memories.
Medication and drugs
Prescription dependence or illicit substance use may require specialist treatment.
Gambling
Financial loss, secrecy, debt and relationship damage can worsen distress.
Physical injury, disability and chronic pain
Life-changing injury
Limb loss, brain injury, hearing loss and mobility changes may affect identity and independence.
Chronic pain
Pain can affect sleep, mood, employment, relationships and daily activity.
Rehabilitation
Mental-health support should be considered alongside physiotherapy, occupational therapy and physical rehabilitation.
Housing, homelessness and welfare
Possible problems
- Housing insecurity
- Rent arrears
- Homelessness
- Relationship breakdown
- Emergency accommodation
- Financial hardship
Where to seek help
- Local council housing team
- MOD Veterans Services
- Royal British Legion
- SSAFA
- Citizens Advice
- Housing charities
Employment and civilian careers
Transferable skills
Leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, planning and resilience.
Possible barriers
Confidence, interview anxiety, health, translating experience and retraining.
Support
Career coaching, qualifications, CV help, employment programmes and Covenant employers.
Benefits, pensions and compensation
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
For injury, illness or death caused by service on or after 6 April 2005.
War Pension Scheme
For eligible service-related injury, illness or death before 6 April 2005.
Disability and income support
PIP, Universal Credit and other benefits may apply depending on circumstances.
Military sexual trauma
Sexual harassment, assault and abuse can affect anyone
Military sexual trauma may affect serving personnel and veterans of any gender. It can contribute to PTSD, anxiety, depression, self-harm, relationship difficulties and loss of trust.
Bereavement and military families
Bereaved partners
Emotional, financial and practical support may be available.
Children and parents
Specialist bereavement support can help families process loss.
Service-related death
Veterans UK and military charities may help with pensions, compensation and welfare.
Older veterans
Isolation
Loss of peers, mobility and community can increase loneliness.
Health and dementia
Long-term illness, hearing loss, dementia and trauma memories may require joined-up support.
Practical help
Local authorities, social care, veteran charities and NHS services can help.
Find Armed Forces and veteran help across the UK
England
Op COURAGE provides specialist NHS mental-health support for veterans, reservists, service leavers and families.
Op COURAGE and NHS supportScotland
Scottish Government provides veteran policy, wellbeing information and links to support.
Scottish veterans supportWales
Welsh Government provides a central page for serving personnel, veterans and families.
Armed Forces and veterans in WalesNorthern Ireland
NI Direct provides veteran and Armed Forces community support information.
Veteran support in Northern IrelandMOD and government support
Veterans UK
Pensions, compensation, welfare and support for veterans and families.
Visit Veterans UK →Veteran support directory
Official directory of organisations supporting veterans and families.
Open directory →National veteran organisations
Combat Stress
Specialist mental-health treatment and support for veterans with complex needs.
Visit Combat Stress →Help for Heroes
Physical recovery, mental wellbeing, welfare and rehabilitation.
Visit Help for Heroes →Defence Medical Welfare Service
Independent medical welfare support for the Armed Forces community.
Visit DMWS →Forces Employment Charity
Employment support for veterans, service leavers and military families.
Visit charity →Veterans’ Foundation
Supports charities and organisations helping the Armed Forces community.
Visit foundation →Community, peer and local support
Local authority Armed Forces Champions
Many councils have a named contact or Covenant lead.
Veterans breakfast clubs
Local peer groups can reduce isolation and provide informal support.
Armed Forces community hubs
Some areas offer joined-up housing, employment, welfare and mental-health support.
Local Mind services
Local mental-health information, groups and support may be available.
Citizens Advice
Benefits, debt, housing and employment guidance.
Disability Rights UK
Benefits, employment, education and independent-living information.
Suicide prevention and severe distress
Recognising crisis
Seek urgent help if someone feels unable to stay safe, talks about ending their life, has a suicide plan or is experiencing severe emotional distress.
Emergency and urgent support
No serving person, reservist, veteran or family member should feel they must manage a crisis alone.
Immediate danger
Call 999 or attend A&E.
Urgent mental-health help
Call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option.
Talk to someone now
Call Samaritans free on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have served for a minimum length of time?
Eligibility differs between services. Some NHS and charity services support anyone who served for at least one day, while pensions and compensation schemes have separate rules.
Can families access veteran mental-health support?
Yes. Op COURAGE and many charities recognise that partners and families may also need support.
Can difficulties appear years after service?
Yes. Trauma, loss, ageing, retirement or other life changes can make earlier experiences more difficult later.
Where do I ask about compensation or a War Pension?
Contact Veterans UK or use the official Armed Forces Compensation and War Pension guidance.
Can a veteran use normal NHS mental-health services?
Yes. Veterans can use standard NHS services and should tell their GP that they served in the Armed Forces.
What if housing is at risk?
Contact the local council homelessness team and seek help from MOD Veterans Services, RBL, SSAFA or a specialist housing organisation.
Key message
Military service can affect mental health, family life, physical health, employment, housing, finances and relationships during service or many years later.
Veterans, serving personnel, reservists, partners, children, carers and bereaved families deserve appropriate support.
You served your country. You do not have to face life’s challenges alone. Support is available, recovery is possible and the future is still yours.