Welcome to Combat Stress
Contact Us
A small but significant, number of Veterans leave the Armed Forces with complex psychological wounds. This can lead to depression, phobias, anxiety, relationship problems and in some cases, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Wherever you live in the UK, we can help you. Web: www.combatstress.org.uk Tel: 01372 587 100 Email: contactus@combatstress.org.uk 24-hour Helpline: 0800 138 1619
How we can help
Combat Stress offers effective treatment and support to Veterans of the British Armed Forces and members of the Reserve Forces, who are suffering from mental ill health. All of our services are free of charge to the Veteran.
Hollybush House tel: 01292 561 350 email: outreachnorth@combatstress.org.uk
24-hour Helpline Every minute of every day, our helpline is available to the whole military community, including serving personnel, members of the UK Reserve Forces and their families. Professional, trained staff listen and give support on Service-related mental health issues. These advisors will direct callers to our support workers or refer them on to another organisation for specialist help. The Helpline is delivered by the mental health charity Rethink Mental Illness.
‘ The Helpline is vital to the mental well-being of the Forces community, and to keeping us safe.’ en, a Veteran who has used the K Combat Stress Helpline.
0800 138 1619 combatstress@rethink.org www.combatstress.org.uk Text: 07537 404 719
Belfast Office tel: 028 9026 9999 email: outreachireland@combatstress.org.uk
(Standard charges may apply for texts, please check with your provider.)
If you need confidential help & support on any mental health issue – including confusion, anger & depression – you can turn to us.
Audley Court tel: 01952 822 750 email: outreachcentral@combatstress.org.uk
Tyrwhitt House tel: 01372 587 080 email: outreachsouth@combatstress.org.uk
Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society. Company Registered in England & Wales No. 256353. Charity Registration No. 206002. Charity Registration Scotland No. SC038828.
Assessment and diagnosis
Residential services
The first step for Veterans who need our support is often an initial assessment from one of our Regional Welfare Officers. If a clinical need is identified, Veterans will be referred for a clinical assessment by a Community Psychiatric Nurse. From this assessment an individual treatment plan can be developed.
At our three specialist treatment centres in Ayrshire, Shropshire and Surrey, we provide assessment and a tailored treatment and care programme based on each Veteran’s individual psychological needs.
Community and Outreach There are 14 Community and Outreach Teams across the UK. Teams include welfare staff, with military experience, who understand the specific mental health and welfare needs of Veterans. They also know how to handle the stigma attached to mental health issues in the military. Our clinical teams work closely with our welfare officers and with other NHS mental health experts to assess a Veterans’ needs. This will ensure that the Veteran gets the right treatment in the community, close to their home.
Substance Misuse Case Management Service (Pilot) From 2014 we will be piloting a new service for those with alcohol and drug misuse disorders who may also have underlying mental health issues. The case management service will work closely with local voluntary and statutory substance misuse services in England and Scotland, promoting screening and awareness of Veterans’ needs, ensuring that Veterans are guided quickly into an appropriate service once they have completed their treatment for substance misuse.
Outpatients Assessment by psychiatrists and psychologists enables us to diagnose, define and deliver the treatment the Veterans require. This service is now available at all three treatment centres.
The treatment centres offer a reassuring and safe environment where Veterans can feel comfortable amongst other ex-Service personnel who often share similar experiences. Our highly trained team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, trauma therapists, occupational therapists and teams of nursing and care support staff, who deliver bespoke packages of treatment and care. Some of these staff have had direct experience of Service life themselves. All have respect for – and empathy with – the ethos of duty and sacrifice that generally sets Service personnel apart from their civilian counterparts. Veterans staying at any of our three residential treatment centres will engage in structured clinical treatment. Programmes at our treatment centres include:
PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme This six week long residential programme provides treatment for those suffering with long term post traumatic stress disorder and other issues including depression, anxiety and alcohol dependence.
Well-being and Rehabilitation Programme Our Well-being and Rehabilitation Programme is available to all Veterans during their stay at our treatment centres, as part of a structured occupational therapy model. The programme works to build on confidence and includes employment mentoring, life skills workshops and social activities in the community.
Brief Intervention Programmes Shorter stay programmes are in development for those Veterans who suffer with multiple complex diagnoses. For example, someone with PTSD & anxiety may be treated alongside someone with PTSD & chronic pain.
BreakAway Rehabilitation Centres BreakAway Centres are provided in partnership with Combat Stress and The Royal British Legion. Together we have worked to provide Veterans and their families time away at one of four centres in the UK to attend a programme of Well-being, Recovery and Social Integration. The aim of the programme is to help Veterans rebuild their lives and move towards a full recovery. Veterans will participate in a range of activities and therapies during their stay, learn essential living skills, develop better social skills, learn to cope with everyday stresses and strains and gain self-confidence.
Reserve Forces Liaison Team We have a dedicated team that understands the specific mental health needs of the UK Reserve Forces. The team works directly with Reservists and in partnership with military staff and clinical professionals. They also work to raise awareness of mental health issues in the Reserve Forces so that more of them who need our help come forward.