Support for Veterans'
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Mental health services for military veterans across the South East are coming together under one single service, with one team handling referrals across the region from 1st April.
If you are a veteran, you can refer yourself to Op COURAGE directly or you can ask your GP or health professional to refer you on your behalf. Here's how:
- Download the new referral form from the Op COURAGE South East service website (launching from April)
- Email your completed form to: gateway@berkshire.nhs.uk
- Or, call 0300 365 2000 (option 4) to refer by phone
Mental health services for military veterans across the South East are coming together under one single service, with one team handling referrals across the region from 1st April.
Op COURAGE the NHS Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is the overarching name for three specialist NHS services for veterans:
- NHS Veterans' Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS)
- NHS Veterans' Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS)
- NHS Veterans' Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS)
Op COURAGE will continue to offer specialist support for ex-military personnel who are finding life difficult after their time in the forces and be provided by a collaboration between the NHS and third sector across eight counties.
This support ranges from connecting veterans and their families with practical services to assist with adjusting to civilian life, through to psychological therapies that have been adapted to treat combat-related trauma.
NHS assessment, care and treatment will then be provided by mental health Trusts already responsible for Op COURAGE in the region:
- Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Oxfordshire
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Kent, Surrey and Sussex
The military charity ‘Walking With The Wounded’ will continue to provide additional veteran peer support and liaison workers who have lived experience of mental ill-health following their service.
The move to streamline the ways to refer into Op COURAGE is designed to remove barriers to veterans accessing timely treatment and support and help more people come forward for professional help when they are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.
Find your local Op COURAGE service at www.nhs.uk/opcourage