Op COURAGE

From April 2023, Op COURAGE became the overreaching name for three specialist NHS services for veterans:

• NHS Veterans' Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS)
• NHS Veterans' Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS)
• NHS Veterans' Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS)

Referrals to all services under op COURAGE are now processed by one team.

There are many drop-in sessions run for people in the community focusing on various aspects of health and wellbeing in the community. These drop-in sessions can also provide spaces for those with shared experiences to come together, find support and build community networks.

Some drop-in sessions are run as part of Op COURAGE.

Read more about health, wellbeing and community drop-in sessions on the RBL Knowledge Base website.

To be able to receive support from Op COURAGE you must be:

• a resident of England and have served in the UK Armed Forces for a full day
• registered with a GP surgery in England, or be willing and eligible to register with a GP, and
• able to provide your military service number

Find out more about how to register with an NHS GP here on the RBL website.

You are also eligible to access Op COURAGE if you are still serving but have a discharge date.

Neither the length of your service nor how long ago you left the Armed Forces will affect your eligibility. You are still eligible for support if you only served for a short period of time, or left service many years ago.

If you would like to get in touch with the team to access support, you can do this by:

• asking a GP or other healthcare representative to refer you
• asking a charity to refer you, or
• directly contacting the team yourself

You can also refer a family member or a friend on their behalf by getting in touch with the team directly.

The contact information for the different area teams is listed below. Core opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Click the links below to find out more about how to access Op COURAGE in your local area:

• Visit the Op COURAGE North of England NHS website.
 
• Visit the Op COURAGE Midlands NHS website.
 
• Visit the Op COURAGE East of England NHS website.
 
• Visit the Op COURAGE London NHS Website.
 
• Visit the Op COURAGE South East England NHS Website.
 
• Visit the Op COURAGE South West England NHS Website.

Op RESTORE supports anyone who is living with a physical injury or illness that was caused by their time serving in the Armed Forces. The service could help you access welfare and non-clinical support, ensuring you have access to the care you need within the NHS, and put together a care plan specifically for your needs.

Read more about Op RESTORE and find out how it could help you access support here on the RBL website.

Op FORTITUDE helps to connect members of the Armed Forces Community who are experiencing homelessness to a support network. This network includes housing providers, charities, and local authorities which will help individuals address their risk of homelessness by either helping them stay in their current accommodation or find new housing options.

Learn more about Op FORTITUDE and the support that the service provides here on the RBL website.

Op NOVA supports ex-service personnel who are in contact with the justice system to access the support they need. The scheme works across all needs to deliver practical and emotional support including mental health needs and registering with NHS GPs.

Find out more about Op NOVA and the support you could access through the programme here on the RBL website.

Op Ascend is an Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) programme which is delivered by the Forces Employment Charity.

The programme provides veterans and their families with opportunities to gain meaningful employment. This includes support with CV writing, interview preparation, employment fairs and advice on setting up a business.

Learn more about Op ASCEND and how to access the support programme on the Forces Employment Charity website.