On this page you will find information about:
- What Op COURAGE is.
- How to access the service across England.
- Support for those in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Op COURAGE is a free NHS mental health service for serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families in England.
The service is supported by trained professionals who are from or have experience working with the Armed Forces Community.
Read more about Op COURAGE on GOV.UK.
Op COURAGE name change 2023
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 will now be processed by one team.
Learn more about the NHS Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
Drop-in sessions for the Armed Forces community
There are many drop-in sessions run for people in the community focusing on many 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.
How the service can help
Op COURAGE can help you to access support and treatment for a range of conditions including:
- mental health
- psychological trauma
- substance misuse and additions
- eating disorders
- support for the families of those living with mental health conditions, and more.
Additionally, the service can liaise with other NHS services and charities on your behalf to support your treatment and recovery.
Find out more about how Op Courage could support you on the NHS website.
Read guidance for mental health and wellbeing on the Knowledge Base.
Accessing the service
Eligibility criteria
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.
How to get in touch
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, through a family member, or friend.
The contact information for the different area teams is listed below. Core opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
North of England
The Midlands
- Telephone: 03003 230 137
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit the Op COURAGE Midlands NHS website.
The East of England
London
- Telephone: 02033 176 818
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit the Op COURAGE London NHS Website.
South East England
- Telephone: 03003 652 000 (option four)
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit the Op COURAGE South East England NHS Website.
South West England
Further support for those in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Veterans' Support Office provides dedicated support to the Armed Forces community.
Find out more about the Northern Ireland Veterans' Support Office on their website.
Scotland
Through Veterans First Point, ex-service personnel can access veteran-led mental health and welfare support as part of NHS Scotland.
Learn more about Veterans First Point and how they support veterans in Scotland.
Wales
The Welsh Government has set up Veterans NHS Wales to support Ex-Service personnel of the UK Armed Forces. Through the service you can refer yourself or someone else to receive support from the NHS Wales.
Read more about how you may be able to access support through Veterans Wales.
Additional support services
Op RESTORE: The Veterans physical health and wellbeing service
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.
Op FORTITUDE: Support pathway for ex-service personnel experiencing homelessness
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.
Op NOVA: Support for ex-service personnel who are in contact with the justice system
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.
Get in touch
Visit the Op NOVA website, or:
- Telephone: 08009 177 299
- Email: [email protected]
Op PROSPER: Employment support for ex-service personnel and family members
Op PROSPER is an employment support programme for ex-service personnel and family members in the UK. The programme is run by the Forces Employment Charity on behalf of the Office for Veterans Affairs. Through the Employment Pathways scheme and Career Development Fund you could access a variety of employment help and advice.
Get in touch
Visit the Forces Employment Charity website to find out more about Op PROSPER, or:
Telephone: 01212 623 058
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