We are very proud to have a healthy community of people that are either previous or current active members of the Armed Forces Community. West Midlands Ambulance Service is forces friendly employer for which we have achieved gold award status for the work that we do to support our Armed Forces Community.

Here would will find avenues of health and wellbeing support specifically aimed at our Armed Forces Community colleagues.

Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families who are able to provide the following support:

• supporting providing intensive emergency care and treatment if you’re in a crisis
• helping the transition from military to civilian life by providing mental health care with Defence Medical Services (DMS)
• supporting armed forces families affected by mental health problems, including helping you access local services
• helping you to recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma
• helping you to access other NHS mental health services if you need them, such as finding an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT) and eating disorder services
• helping you get in touch with charities and local organisations who can support your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as housing, relationships, finances, employment, drug and alcohol misuse and social support

To be eligible for support from Op Courage you must be a resident in England and have serviced in the UK armed forces for a full day, be registered with a GP practice in England and provide your military service number.

To access support via Op Courage Call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net (includes the Op COURAGE urgent care and support service for the Midlands)

Combat Stress have a dedicated mental health support helpline that is available to both veterans and their families. The service is free to call and provides confidential advice and support.

This support programme is a specialist service provided by the Ministry of Defence for veterans and reservists to access mental health assessment and treatment. The service is only accessible following a GP referral. If you feel that you would benefit from support regarding how your time in the Armed Forces has impacted upon your mental health do speak to your GP regarding a referral.

Togetherall is a safe, online community that can be accessed by currently Armed Forces people, reservists, veterans and their families. The service provides access to an online community where people support each other to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

STEPWAY is a military charity supporting all Veterans and family members in civilian life, no matter their background or circumstance. The charity provide support services that not only combats adjustment disorder but has a proven record in saving lives! for more information and to access the site, click the image to the left. To read the STEPWAY news letter, please click here.