Health and wellbeing
There are several ways to get health and wellbeing support.
- Priority NHS care for veterans - when servicemen and women leave the armed forces, their healthcare is the responsibility of the NHS. All veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS hospital care for any condition, as long as it's related to their service, whether or not they receive a war pension.
- Pennine Care Trust Military Veterans' Service - provide mental health support to ex-service personnel for conditions including depression, alcohol and substance misuse, anger problems and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), Bereaved Families Support Group The Bereaved Families Support Group provides emotional and social support and signposting service for those families requiring welfare support to the families of members of the armed forces who have died in service whatever the circumstances.
- Army welfare and support - provides a range of welfare support to families while soldiers are away. This support is provided to both Regular Army Families and to those of mobilised members of the Territorial Army or the Regular Reserve.
- The Navy Families Federation - provide details of organisations that specialise in advising family members.
Mental health
There are several organisations that offer mental health support for armed forces personnel and their families.
- Do you need immediate mental health help? - find 24-hour services.
- Contact your GP - if you need immediate help, contact your GP or attend your local accident and emergency department.
- TogetherAll - previously Big White Wall. A safe online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other by sharing what’s troubling them, guided by trained professionals.
- Combat Stress - 24-hour Helpline for the military community and their families who are seeking help and advice for mental health issues.
- Samaritans - confidential emotional support 24/7 to those experiencing despair, distress or suicidal feelings.
- Access mental health services - Rochdale and District MIND (including Bury and NE Lancs) promote positive mental health and well being to anyone living in the borough of Rochdale.
- Veterans' mental health app - download the Veterans Mental Health app that provides information on mental health problems and highlighting where to get help. The aim is to help troops and reduce the stigma attached to mental health issues. Apple devices - download the Veterans' mental health app.