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Need to tell someone something? Worried about a child or adult? 💜 Talk to us 🚨 Crisis help
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🆘 If you need help right now

You don't have to explain. You don't have to be at rock bottom. If you're struggling — right now — please call.

Veterans · NHS Mental Health Service · 24/7
Op COURAGE
The NHS specialist mental health service for veterans, reservists, and military families. Free. Confidential. 24 hours.
0800 138 1619
You can also self-refer at nhs.uk
Anyone · 24/7 · Free
Samaritans
Free, confidential. Whatever you're going through, you can call any time, day or night.
116 123
Or email: jo@samaritans.org
Veterans · PTSD · 24/7
Combat Stress
UK's leading veterans' mental health charity. Specialist support for PTSD, anxiety, and depression from service.
0800 281 8148
📱 Prefer to text? Text HELLO to 85258 (Shout — free, confidential, 24/7)

If you're thinking about suicide

If you're having thoughts of ending your life, please call one of the numbers above right now. You don't have to be "bad enough." Thinking about it is enough of a reason to call.

Suicide rates among veterans are higher than the general population. Op COURAGE exists specifically because of this. They understand what you've been through in a way most people don't.

If you've taken something, harmed yourself, or are in immediate danger — call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

Tell them you're a veteran. You're entitled to priority treatment for service-related conditions.

More crisis and urgent support contacts

Veterans Aid
Emergency support — housing, welfare, crisis
020 7828 9000
SSAFA Forcesline
Confidential support for serving and ex-serving personnel and families
0800 731 8880
PAPYRUS (under 35)
Suicide prevention for young people — including young veterans
0800 068 4141
Andy's Man Club
Men's mental health peer support groups — Monday evenings, nationwide. Many veterans attend.
andysmanclub.co.uk
Alcoholics Anonymous
If alcohol is part of what you're dealing with
0800 917 7650
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
If you or your family are experiencing domestic abuse
0808 200 0247
Mind Infoline
Mental health information and support
0300 123 3393
Emergency Services
Immediate danger to yourself or others
999

Worried about someone else?

If you're worried about another veteran — a friend, family member, colleague — here's what you can do:

  • Ask them directly — research consistently shows that asking someone if they're thinking about suicide does not plant the idea. It opens a door.
  • Listen without fixing — you don't need to solve it. Just be there.
  • Don't leave them alone if you think they're in immediate danger
  • Call 999 if you believe the risk is immediate
  • Op COURAGE can offer guidance on supporting someone else: 0800 138 1619
  • Talk to Samaritans yourself — they support people worried about others as well as those in crisis

You can also write it down

Sometimes talking is too much. If you're not ready to call anyone but need somewhere to put it — our anonymous support space is there. No names. No accounts. Just write.

Go to the support space →