Specialist Veterans Mental Health services update

On 1 April 2023, Specialist Veterans Mental Health services are being integrated.

Veterans who struggle to engage with or access mainstream mental health services will find that the Op COURAGE service has been streamlined, with a single point of contact for their mental health needs and strong partnerships with military charities.

Op COURAGE is a NHS mental health specialist service available across England and, since 2017, has helped nearly 30,000 people. It is the overarching name for three services – TILS, the Veterans' Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS) and Veterans' Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS).

 

What’s changing – from 1 April 2023

From 1 April 2023, Op COURAGE’s three services will be brought together under one service name - Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.

There will be one lead NHS provider for each region in England. Each lead provider will work in partnership with other NHS providers and armed forces charities to provide a wide range of holistic, personalised mental health care and wellbeing support. Helping veterans get the right type of specialist care, support and treatment for their specific needs.

For the North of England the lead provider is Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. They will work in partnership with Pennine Care NHS, Leeds and York NHS FT, Humber Teaching NHS FT, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS FT, Walking With The Wounded and Combat Stress.

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

Op COURAGE will provide an improved and enhanced mental health service for veterans:

• All veterans living in the North of England will be able to access Op COURAGE through a single phone number and email:

     0300 373 33 32 / OpCourageNORTH@cntw.nhs.uk

• The service will be available 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week
• Veterans can self-refer, or be referred by a family member, 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
• recognising that family may also need help and care and supporting them to access this.

New Campaign ‘We’re in it together’

Research shows that 41% of the armed forces community are unaware of Op COURAGE. A new national campaign is planned to launch in April to raise awareness of Op COURAGE and encourage those personnel leaving service, reservists, veterans and carers struggling with their mental health to seek help from this service.

 

Background information

There are currently 2 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.

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust has a long history of ensuring a provision of quality mental health for veterans. The Trust has run a specific veterans service for the last 13 years, with a traumatic stress service initially set up for this community. However, we are committed to ensuring the the armed forces community’s evolving needs are met.

The same dedicated team remains here at the Trust – a team of professionals that are or have been part of the armed forces community, whether that be a veteran, reservist or spouse of serving personnel or simply a clinician with a good understanding of military culture.

For further information on Op COURAGE, visit the NHS website here.

Contact the team directly for Humber and North Yorkshire by calling 01482 335479, or email hnf-tr.opcouragehumberandnorthyorkshire@nhs.net