Mental Health

Am I eligible?

Support is available for all Service personnel and veterans and their families 

What’s it for?

Looking after your mental health is important – and that’s especially true for Service people, veterans and families. That’s why, if you’re currently serving in or have served in the UK Armed Forces, you have free access to mental health services, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in addition to those provided by Defence Medical Services and the National Health Service.

What do I get?

24 hour support services

Combat Stress On behalf of MOD, Combat Stress operate a mental health support 24-hour phoneline that is dedicated to Service personnel and their families. The helpline provides a non-clinical listening ear, support, and signposting service. Serving personnel and their families can call 0800 323 4444 whilst Veterans and their families can call 0800 138 1619. Alternatively, text 07537 404719 (standard charges may apply for texts) or email helpline@combatstress.org.uk.

Togetherall is an online, early intervention peer support, wellbeing, and counselling service available to the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. The service is available 24 hours a day and delivers a safe, anonymous support service. Trained counsellors are available to provide support and signposting as required. If you want to contact them then call 0203 405 6196 or email theteam@togetherall.com

Samaritans. The Samaritans operate a 24-hour phone line and provide practical support for service personnel on how to look out for teammates, how to discuss things and where to go for more support. A Samaritans Armed Forces Guide is available to download from their website. If you want to contact them call 116 123 or email: Jo@samaritans.org

Urgent help

For advice on what to do if you need urgent help go to Get urgent help for mental health - NHS

To support mental fitness and resilience:

HeadFIT is a mental fitness tool to support the Whole Force. It is a free externally accessible website that assists in developing a proactive approach to mental fitness, with the aim of establishing healthy habits that will help unlock potential, achieve personal goals, and reach optimal well-being. It is accessible for the whole Defence Community, including families and veterans, by visiting the headfit website

How do I claim?

The contact information for each organisation can be found in the section above