NHS launches mental health service for military heroes

VETERANS suffering a mental health crisis are to receive more support than ever before after a new alliance was struck between health workers and military charities.

The scheme, known as Op Courage, has been launched by the head of the NHS, Sir Simon Stevens.

It has united doctors, nurses and other NHS with military charities to provide therapy, rehab services and, in extreme cases, inpatient care to hundreds of veterans each year.

Those needing urgent help will receive a same day referral. The ‘high intensity’ treatment has already been trialled in some areas and will be rolled out across the country by next month as part of Op Courage, which brings together specialist services for veterans.

And spearheading the movement locally is Southsea’s own forces charity, All Call Signs.

Whenever Hampshire veterans facing a serious mental health crisis dial the NHS’s 111 service, they will be put through to one of the charity’s dedicated army of peer support workers.

Working hand-in-glove with the NHS, the award-winning team – which has rescued more than 100 missing suicidal veterans since it was set up in 2018

– will help find ex-forces personnel rapid treatment. Stephen James, co-founder of All Call Signs, said: ‘Op Courage is a huge step forward for the vision of a joined-up veterans’ mental health service that offers tangible results in mental health and wellbeing.’