Veteran Helplines & Immediate Support
If you need support, confidential help is available. The helplines below provide support for Veterans and their families, including emotional support, mental health services, and practical advice. Many services are available 24 hours a day.
Veterans Gateway
First point of contact for UK Veterans — advice on housing, mental health, finances and more. Available 24/7.
Phone: 0808 802 1212
Text: 81212
Combat Stress
24/7 mental health support for Veterans and their families.
Phone: 0800 138 1619
Text: 07537 404 719
Samaritans
24/7 emotional support for anyone in distress (including Veterans).
Phone: 116 123
NHS Op COURAGE
Specialist NHS mental health support for serving personnel, veterans and families. Self-referral available.
For Reigional phone lines please refer to gov.uk.
SSAFA
Support for serving personnel, Veterans and families. Includes housing, welfare and practical help.
Phone: 0800 260 6767
SHOUT
Free confidential text service for people in the emergency services sector needing mental health support.
Text: Text BLUELIGHT to 85258
Sapper Support
24/7 crisis helpline supporting Veterans and 999 personnel with PTSD and related mental health challenges.
Phone: 0800 040 7873
Text: 07860 018 733
Fire Fighters Charity
The Fire Fighters charity offer a free, confidential helpline to support people with a fire fighter occupation with their health and wellbeing.
Phone: 0800 389 8820
Or fill out the enquiry form.
Police Care UK
Police Care UK provides practical, emotional and financial support to serving and former police officers, staff and their families.
The Ambulance Staff Charity
The Ambulance Service Charity (TASC) supports current and former ambulance staff with mental health, wellbeing and financial assistance.
Oscar Kilo
Oscar Kilo is the National Police Wellbeing Service, providing resources, guidance and wellbeing support for police forces across the UK.
Walking With the Wounded
Walking With The Wounded supports Veterans with employment, mental health support and personalised care coordination.
PTSD Resolution
PTSD Resolution provides free, confidential therapy for Veterans, reservists and their families affected by trauma.
Phone: 0300 302 0551
PTSD 999
PTSD999 supports Emergency Service personnel experiencing PTSD and trauma through advocacy, awareness and support networks.
The Warrior Programme
The Warrior Programme delivers personal development courses designed to build resilience and improve mental wellbeing for Veterans and serving personnel.
Help for Heroes
Help for Heroes supports Veterans and their families through recovery programmes, mental health support and welfare advice.
Phone: 01980 844 244
Veterans UK
Veterans UK provides information and support relating to Armed Forces pensions, compensation schemes and Veterans’ services.
Phone: 0808 1914 218
Veterans Aid
Veterans Aid offers immediate practical support to Veterans facing crisis situations such as homelessness, financial hardship or mental health challenges.
Phone: 0800 012 6867
Army Benevolent Fund
The Army Benevolent Fund provides financial assistance and welfare support to soldiers, Veterans and their families when they face hardship.
Phone: 020 7901 8900
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion supports the Armed Forces community with welfare advice, financial assistance and recovery services.
Phone: 0808 802 8080
Veterans in Need
Veterans in Need provides welfare support, community programmes and practical assistance to Veterans and their families.
Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial support, wellbeing services and practical assistance to members of the RAF family.
Phone: 0300 102 1919
Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity supports serving personnel, Veterans and families through grants, wellbeing programmes and support services.
Phone: 023 9387 1520