Op COURAGE: a new streamlined veterans mental health and wellbeing service
Armed forces veterans who need mental health support will be able to access a new streamlined service from 1 April 2023.
NHS veterans’ mental health services are being brought together under one name; Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, to make it easier and more accessible to people who need help.
There are currently two million veterans in England, of which 40% are working age (16-65 years old). Women form 11% of the armed forces and veteran population and this is set to increase to 13% by 2028.
Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has proudly been providing specialist veterans mental health services in the North of England for over five years. We will continue to provide these services supporting our partners in the NHS and veteran support charities as part of the Op COURAGE service.
From 1 April 2023, all veterans living in the North of England will be able to access Op COURAGE through a single point of access. This can be access using the following:
- Number 0300 373 33 32
- Email: OpCourageNORTH@cntw.nhs.uk
If you live somewhere else in England, details of how to access Op COURAGE can be found on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/opcourage.
The service will be available 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week. Veterans can self-refer, or be referred by a family member, another NHS Trust (a mental health crisis team for example), a third sector organisation or their GP.
Op COURAGE offers a range of specialist support and treatment for members of the armed forces community. This includes:
- helping to recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems, as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma,
- providing support and treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use,
- liaising with charities and local organisations to support wider health and wellbeing, such as help with housing, relationships, finances and employment,
- referring to other NHS services, where needed, and
- recognising that family may also need help and care and supporting them to access this.