Veterans support

If you or someone that you know need some help, advice or information, there are many organisations waiting to help. Here are contact details of support services, self-help guides, resources and more.

North East / Regional help via the NHS:

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
CNTW Veterans Services
Tel: 0191 478 8700 (9.00am-5.00pm)
For professional advice please contact the duty clinician on 0303 123 1145 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/op-courage/

Veterans Transition Intervention and Liaison Services (TILS) North England
https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/tils-veteran-service/

The Veterans Wellbeing Assessment and Liaison Service (VWALS) provides two outreach and assessment workers and utilises existing community, primary and secondary care mental health services across the North East. It aims to be a single point of access for veterans services in the region.
Anyone wishing to access VWALS should call 0191 441 5974 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Veterans’ High Intensity Service
https://www.leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk/our-services/veterans-mental-health-high-intensity-service-north-england-team/

This service provides care and treatment for former armed forces personnel (veterans) who are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help. Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust will be a key delivery partner, alongside veterans’ support charities Combat Stress and Walking with the Wounded.
Telephone: 0303 123 1145
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Gateshead: North East Counselling Services (NECS) have is offering counselling support to veterans and their family members who live in Gateshead.
Anyone who feels they need support can self-refer using our website http://www.necounselling.org.uk
If you have any questions about this support please contact Marjorie Hunter This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

National services

NHS Veterans Mental Health Services

Combat Stress
Veteran’s mental health charity
24 HOUR National HELPLINE  0800 138 1619

The Veterans UK
Helpline provides advice on many topics. Ministry of Defence service.
Free to all veterans and their families
0808 1914 2 18
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
08:00 – 16:00 Mon–Fri
Dedicated Bereavement and Minicom line 0800 169 34 58.

PTSD resolution
Service charity providing treatment for all emotional, behavioural, and mental health problems across the UK
0845 021 7873

Cruse Bereavement Care
Advice, information and support to anyone who has been bereaved, whenever or however the death occurred.
Helpline: 0844 477 9400
Children’s freephone helpline: 0808 808 1677
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Blind Veterans UK (St Dunstan’s)
Practical and emotional support for veterans with sight loss.

SSAFA
Listening and signposting service for current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Forcesline: 0800 731 4880
By email.

The Royal British Legion
0808 802 8080 from 8am to 8pm, 7 days each week (free).

ABF - The Soldier's Charity
Support for soldiers and families in need.

Walking with the Wounded

Mental Health Foundation
Overview of veterans mental health and the services available.