Given the current situation in Afghanistan, we’d like to highlight support available for Veterans and members of the Armed Forces community, along with some helpful resources.
North West Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS)
Any Veteran or Armed Forces community members in the North West, including those deployed to Afghanistan, can access mental health support and counselling via the North West Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS) team based at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, a Mental Health specialist Trust.
If you are located in the North West and need support, please contact the TILS service on 0300 323 0707 or the.
This week, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust have also put together this useful document.
Op COURAGE
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or wellbeing, expert help is available from Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
You can use this service whether you’re due to leave the Armed Forces, have just left the Armed Forces or if you left many years ago. You will be able to speak to people who:
- Understand the Armed Forces and military life
- Are either from the Armed Forces community or highly experienced in working with Serving personnel, Reservists, Veterans and their families
- Will work with you to make sure you get the right type of specialist care, support, and treatment
The service can be contacted directly by yourself or you can ask your GP, a charity or someone else, such as a family member or friend, to do this on your behalf.
To make sure you get the right care and support, you will first have an assessment by someone who understands the specific needs of the Armed Forces community.
The service offers a range of treatments including:
- Working with Defence Medical Services to make sure you get mental health care and support as you transition from the military to civilian life
- Recognising the early signs of mental health problems and providing care and treatment for this
- Therapeutic treatment for more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma
- Intensive emergency care and treatment if you’re in a crisis
- Helping you to access other NHS services if needed, such as psychological therapies (IAPT) services and eating disorder services
- Working with charities and local organisations to support you with your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as housing, relationships, finances, employment, drug and alcohol misuse and social support.
Find out more here: www.
If you based in the North of England and want to contact Op COURAGE, call 0800 652 2867 or email VTILS
The Op COURAGE urgent care and support service is accessible by healthcare referral only.
Urgent and emergency support from other NHS services
If you experience a mental health crisis you can also get help by dialling 111, booking an emergency GP appointment, visiting A&E or calling 999.
If you're still serving, you can also call the military mental health helpline on 0800 323 4444.
Combat Stress
Call 0800 138 1619
https://
Samaritans
Call 116 123
https://
