Op COURAGE Midlands

Midlands Op COURAGE map

Urgent and emergency support from other NHS services

If you’re having a mental health crisis, you can get help by:

• Calling 111 (choose the mental health option) or 999
• Going to your nearest A&E department
• Booking a GP appointment

If you’re still serving, you can also call the Military Mental Health Helpline on 0800 323 4444.

Remember to tell whoever you speak to that you served in the UK Armed Forces. It could be relevant and means you’ll get the support that’s right for you.

For information on healthcare in England for the Armed Forces community, including veterans, visit the NHS Healthcare for the Armed Forces community webpages. 

Support for survivors of rape and sexual assault and abuse

With recent news of the hearing into the tragic death of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck and the increased focus on sexual assault and abuse in the military, we are aware that this been extremely upsetting and triggering to some people.  
 
If you are a veteran affected by these events, we encourage you to contact our service and not suffer in silence. We are here to support you and where appropriate, can help you access specialist services if you have been sexually assaulted or abused at any time in your life.
 
If you feel unable to talk to us and need help relating to sexual assault and abuse, you can contact a sexual assault referral centre, often referred to as a SARC.
 
SARCs provide free, specialist care and support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused, at any time in their life. This includes the Armed Forces community, whether they are still serving, a veteran or a family member.
 
You can contact a SARC 24/7 to book an appointment and do not have to involve the police if you don’t want to.  If preferred, you can also remain anonymous at a SARC. 
 
The SARC team will help you get the support you choose and never tell you what to do. They will care for you in a place that is private, where there will not be other patients and where you will be safe. 
 
To find out more about SARCs and where your local service is, please visit the NHS Help after rape and sexual assault webpages.  

Other support for veterans

Support for veterans and their families

Visit the gov.uk website to view the Office for Veterans' Affairs' directory listing organisations that provide support to veterans of the UK Armed Forces and their families.

Op ASCEND: Empowering veterans and their families for career success

Op ASCEND is a free, government-backed employment service that supports veterans by providing career advice and helping them connect with veteran-friendly employers.

Op FORTITUDE: Support pathway for ex-service people experiencing homelessness

Op FORTITUDE is the government-backed centralised referral pathway designed to support veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Op NOVA: Supporting veterans in the justice system

Op NOVA provides support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system in England, enabling them to access the services they need.

Op RESTORE: The veterans' physical health and wellbeing service

Op RESTORE provides specialist care and support to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the Armed Forces. Only your GP can refer you to Op RESTORE, so please contact them if you require a referral.