Accessing our Services
ACCESSING OUR SERVICES
Online, Out-patient
We offer treatment to veterans of the UK Armed Forces, non-operational reservists, and former members of the Merchant Navy. You will need to be living in the UK and registered with a UK GP. We help veterans with complex trauma-related or stress-related mental health issues resulting from military service. This may include PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), Complex-PTSD (this is PTSD plus some specific other difficulties), trauma-related difficulties such as anxiety, depression and transitional challenges.
Our specialist treatment and support is available online and in-person. Our staff are based across the UK – we have teams in Belfast, Inverness, Glasgow, Surrey, the Midlands and the North West. The vast majority of our services are provided online (as it removes geographical and logistical barriers to receiving treatment).
Where required, our online provision is complemented by in-person outpatient appointments and community services including peer support, and treatment on a residential basis.
THE VETERAN JOURNEY
Step 1 Referral
The first step for you to access our services is to contact our free 24-hour Helpline.
0800 138 1619
You will speak to an advisor who will ask you questions about your military service, areas of your life which you need help with, particularly your mental health, but also occupation, physical health, housing and finances or relationships.
Alternatively text 07537 173683 (standard charges may apply for texts) or email helpline@combatstress.org.uk.
Step 2 Assessment
Our team of mental health specialists will review your referral. If we think we can offer services that might be suitable for you, we will ask you to attend an assessment with a member of the team to discuss your issues.
We aim to provide a comprehensive and specialist clinical assessment with one of our experienced clinicians within 4 weeks of your referral date*. Our current average wait for assessment is 4 weeks.
Average waiting times (referral to clinical assessment)
- England and Wales: 3 to 6 weeks
- Scotland: 6 weeks
- Northern Ireland: 7 weeks
Sometimes there might be other services that are better suited to help you. Our teams will work with that service to help you access the treatment you need.
Step 3 Treatment
After assessment a personalised treatment pathway will be designed for you. This will include treatment modules delivered by our Clinical teams to help you with your mental health.
Your treatment pathway might include modules from the following treatment packages: Building Resilience and Manage Better, Managing the Consequences of Trauma, Trauma-Focused Therapy and Looking to the Future.
If Combat Stress specialist clinical treatment and support is likely to provide you with the best possible chance of recovery, we aim to begin treatment within 18 weeks of your referral date*. Our current average wait for specialist treatment is 12 weeks.
Average wait times (referral to treatment)
- England and Wales: 12 weeks
- Scotland: 12 weeks
- Northern Ireland: 16 weeks
*Please note that wait times are subject to the timely submission of all accurate and relevant information required to process the referral, including information from other agencies, professionals, veterans and their support network.
