There are several dedicated programmes in Bury to support armed forces personnel and veterans access health services.
Combat Stress
Combat Stress is the UK's leading veterans' mental health charity, supporting almost 6,000 veterans.
Website: Combat Stress: For veterans' mental health - Get help
Defence Medical Welfare Service
The Defence Medical Welfare Service provides a 24/7 hospital/hospice based welfare support service for serving military, reservists, veterans and their families.
Website: DMWS - The St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service.
Helpline: 0800 999 3697.
Gambling related harm support
Gambling is an addictive behaviour which is increasing recognised as a public health issue.
Studies have found that military veterans are likely to have higher gambling rates than non veterans, with even higher rates seen in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and those who are male.
Short length of service (less than four years), younger age, and mental health and alcohol problems are also associated with gambling at a harmful level among veterans.
Support for gambling issues
There's a range of help available if you are a veteran and need help with gambling issues
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Health and wellbeing needs of veterans
Veterans may experience specific health needs related to their service once they have permanently re-entered civilian society.
Bury Council and local NHS partners are committed to minimising these health inequalities as part of their wider approach to tackling gaps in health.
The Bury Armed Forces Covenant Steering Group makes recommendations based on the Bury Military Veterans’ Health Needs Assessment
The purpose of this needs assessment is to:
- describe the demographics of the veteran population in Bury;
- summarise the available evidence on veterans’ health, highlight areas where veterans experience disproportionately worse health than the wider population, and
- recommend actions for healthcare providers and their partners in Bury to address areas of increased healthcare need.
Military Veterans Service
This service provides mental health support to ex-service personnel for conditions including depression, alcohol and substance misuse, anger problems and post-traumatic stress disorder.
All professionals in the team understand armed forces culture, with some of the staff being veterans themselves and others having family members in the forces.
Website: Pennine Care - Military veterans' services.
NHS Healthcare for the armed forces community
Healthcare information and support for the UK's armed forces community, including serving personnel, reservists, families and veterans.
Websites: NHS - Armed forces community: Healthcare for the armed forces community and NHS - Armed forces community: Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists.
The Royal British Legion
Providing help and support to service men and women and their families.
Website: British Legion - The Royal British Legion.
Helpline: 0808 802 8080.
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
Free help and advice on any issue if you have ever served in HM Armed Forces.
Website: Gov.uk - Veterans UK.
Telephone: 0800 169 2277.
SSAFA Forces Help
Website: SSAFA - The armed forces charity (Greater Manchester).
Telephone: Greater Manchester branch 0300 365 1885 (office hours Monday to Friday 9am to 12.30pm)
Confidential helpline: 0800 731 4880 (open 10.30am to 10.30pm, 365 days a year)
Walking with The Wounded - Head Start
Head Start provides 1-2-1 private therapy for ex-service personnel with mild to moderate mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and adjustment disorder:
Website: Walking with the wounded - Head start.