Op COURAGE – The NHS service supporting veteran’s mental health
The holidays can often be a difficult time for Service personnel who may struggle with their mental health. I wanted to raise awareness about one of the services available to veterans who are finding this time hard.
Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS service designed to support veterans suffering with their mental health.
It brings together a range of organisations, including charities, to ensure veterans receive specialist mental health treatment and care.
At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we have extensive experience in supporting those whose mental health issues have either been caused, or been dealt with negligently by the Ministry of Defence.
We see just how important it is to get mental health treatment and know it can be difficult for veterans to access the right care.
Op COURAGE is made up of trained professionals who are from, or have experience working with, the Armed Forces to make sure service users get the best treatment available.
It incorporates the Veterans Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS), the Veterans Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS) and the Veterans Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS). It has been renamed to make the service clearer and accessible, to improve the support to veterans.
What does Op COURAGE offer?
Op COURAGE can support personnel by helping them transition from military to civilian life, helping them recognise the early signs of mental health issues and provide support and treatment for substance misuse and addiction.
The programme can also connect users with charities and other local organisations to support wider needs, such as housing, employment and relationships. Plus they can help the families and carers of veterans with mental health issues access support services.
Who can Op COURAGE help?
Op COURAGE can support veterans who reside in England and are registered with a GP, and their families.
They provide specialist care and support for those due to leave the Armed Forces, reservists and those who have already left. It doesn’t matter how long ago you served, or how long for.
Op COURAGE is available for those suffering with mental health problems. If you require support with a physical injury, please consider RESTORE. You can read about Op RESTORE on my blog here.
BBK’s successful work with veterans
We have helped many service personnel who have suffered as a result of delay in diagnosing and treating their mental health condition. Click here to read one of our many success stories, where a client was discharged from DCMH despite showing clear symptoms of PTSD after his deployment to Afghanistan. We were able to negotiate a settlement which allowed him to move on and fund his future treatment.
If you, a friend or family member are suffering with your mental health as a result of service, speak to your GP about getting a referral. You can also get in touch yourself, or through a friend or family member.
For more information, please click here.
Our specialist military team can support current and former service personnel who are suffering with their mental health as a result of their service. You may have grounds for a compensation claim as a result of the injuries sustained. Contact us now if you want to find out whether you have grounds for a claim and how our military solicitors may be able to help.
