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Ex-Armed Forces (Veterans) Mental Health
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Mental health support for ex-armed forces and their families.
- Base: Stephenson House, Rugby
- Directorate: Mental Health
- Service Contact: exarmedforces@covwarkpt.nhs.uk
- Referral Criteria: Self-referral or health professional
- Address: Stephenson House, The Railings, Woodside Park, Rugby, CV21 2AW
- Reception phone number: 01788 513709
About us
The ex-armed forces mental health service ensures that people who have serviced in HM armed forces and their families receive the deserved and appropriate care when they need it.
As a Trust, we are proud to be awarded the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) Veterans Aware accreditation which signals that we understands and respond to the unique experiences and needs of the armed forces community.
We also hold the Gold award for The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), which encourages employers to support defence and inspire other organisations to do the same.
We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise to ensure that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. It aims to ensure they face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in accessing public and commercial services and that special consideration is given, when appropriate, particularly to the injured and bereaved.
Within CWPT, we have an armed forces staff network and armed forces champions within most services.
Support for Professionals
Significant work has been undertaken to establish and foster strong links with key partners and to develop networks with which veterans and their families are engaged, in order to access the mental health services that they need.
Our enhanced pathway for veterans and their families has not focused on developing completely different treatment pathways, but instead on making necessary, meaningful adjustments to the mainstream mental health pathways; this is particularly at the point of engagement, to ensure that the veteran is able to get the support they need as and when required. The degree of adjustment made depends on the particular needs of the veteran patient and, if necessary, their care can be stepped up to specialist clinicians.
To find out more about what CWPT offer to the armed forces community, please email exarmedforces@covwarkpt.nhs.uk
Useful links
This is the foundational document that explains what the Covenant is, who it applies to, and how it supports the armed forces community. It reinforces the principle that no veteran should face disadvantage and is a cornerstone of all NHS and public sector commitments to veterans.
2. NHS England Armed Forces Health: Commissioning Intentions and Services
This NHS England page outlines how the NHS commissions services for serving personnel, veterans, and their families - including Op COURAGE. It helps contextualise your service within national strategy and allows referrers and users to understand where you sit in the broader system.
3. FiMT Report: The Mental Health Needs of Serving and Ex-Serving Personnel
This Forces in Mind Trust-funded review by King's College London summarises the evidence on the mental health needs of veterans and serving personnel, including PTSD, common mental health disorders, and barriers to help-seeking. It's credible, recent, and easily digestible.