Our specialist team is overseen by a consultant clinical psychologist, and managed by a registered mental health nurse and highly specialist psychotherapist. The team consists of mental health nurses, social workers, and a dual-diagnosis nurse. A number of our staff are also veterans themselves.
If you're experiencing mental health difficulties, there are a range of services offering treatment and support regardless of when you left the armed forces.
This includes recognising the early signs of mental health problems and providing access to early treatment and support, as well as therapeutic treatment for complex mental health difficulties and psychological trauma. You can also be provided with help, where appropriate, with employment, reduction in alcohol consumption, housing and social support.
To access these services, you must meet the following criteria:
If you meet these criteria, you can self-refer or request referral via a health care professional or service charity.
Upon receipt of referral, you will be offered an initial assessment within two weeks and where appropriate a first clinical appointment two weeks thereafter. These appointments are available via telephone, video/online platform or face to face.
Please speak to a health care professional or service charity, or contact your local service:
North west of England:
There's also a single point of contact for the whole north of England:
Call: 0800 652 2867
Email: VTILS@cntw.nhs.uk
Armed forces personnel approaching discharge can now get treatment and support at NHS veterans’ mental health services across England.
If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, these services can provide a range of treatment and support in close liaison with Defence Medical Services (DMS).
To access these services while you are still in the armed forces, you must meet the following criteria:
Upon referral, you will be offered an initial assessment within two weeks and, where appropriate, a first clinical appointment two weeks after.
These appointments are available via phone, video/online, or face to face.
To find out more, speak to your Defence Medical Services (DMS) GP or contact your local service:
Visit the Veteran and Armed forces pages of the NHS website for more information.
Helpline for veterans, serving personnel, and their families
If you’re currently serving, or have served in the UK Armed Forces, Combat Stress provide a 24-hour helpline which you can call for emotional support and advice: 0800 138 1619
This is not a crisis service. If you call and you are in crisis, Combat Stress will direct you to someone who can help, like the Samaritans or the A&E department at your local hospital.
A 24-hour helpline service for serving troops and their families.
This helpline is operated by Combat Stress. 0800 323 4444
The Royal British Legion helps members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. Support starts after one day of service and continues through life, long after service is over for dependents and carers too. Contact the helpline team on 0808 802 8080.
The Samaritans are available around the clock – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
No matter what you’re going through, you can call. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call 116 123 for free, any time, on any phone
SSAFA – The Armed Forces Charity
SSAFA provides practical, emotional and financial support for those who serve or have served. 020 7403 8783
Togetherall
Togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing. All armed forces personnel, veterans and their families (16+) also have free access: https://togetherall.com/en-gb/
Veterans Trauma Network (VTN)
Despite the name “trauma”, VTN deals with all physical health problems in veterans as a result of their time in service - from recurrent heat illness to problems after limb loss, from traumatic brain injury to service related fertility issues. VTN are closely linked to Op COURAGE and charities such as BLESMA and Blind Veterans UK, so can offer comprehensive care focused around your needs.
Ask your GP to refer you to the VTN: veteranstraumanetwork@nhs.net
Veterans UK
The MOD’s Veterans UK helpline can provide support with many issues including benefits, housing and welfare. Normal opening hours are 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday. 0808 191 4218
The Veterans’ Gateway is a quick and easy first point of contact for whatever support you need. It’s available 24/7 and can signpost you to relevant services.
Many of the team are veterans themselves so understand the issues people face after leaving the armed forces. 0808 802 1212 www.veteransgateway.org.uk
Walking with the wounded (WWTW) delivers employment, mental health, care coordination and volunteering programmes in collaboration with the NHS. Our purposes is to get those who served, and their families, whether mentally, socially or physically wounded, back on their feet and making a positive contribution once more. 01263 863 900
You can call us directly on 0300 323 0707 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Self referrals
You, or a family member, can make a referral via our simple online referral form. (Please note this form is not for professionals making a referral).
Professionals making a referral
GPs, health and social care professionals should download our referral form and email it to us.
Email: the.mvs@nhs.net
Manchester and Lancashire based veteran support
For more information about other support in Manchester or Lancashire, please click the partnership working tab on our landing page.
We have set up another page with frequently asked questions (FAQs) about our services, including:
Click here for our FAQs page.
Image: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2019
