A former Army Colonel is reaching out to veterans with practical mental health support so they do not suffer in silence as he shares a Remembrance Day message of hope.

Worcestershire doctor Jonathan Leach OBE and colleagues have designed and delivered a national specialist mental health clinical service for veterans called Op COURAGE, the veterans mental health and wellbeing service.

The name was chosen because it takes courage to come forward and seek support and the NHS service has now been recognised as 'international best practice', tailored to meet the needs of veterans.

HONOUR: Remembrance Day can be a difficult time for some military veterans  (Image: Newsquest)

Dr Leach wants veterans, including here in Worcestershire, to know the service is there for them in times of need and that they are not alone in their struggles - the service has already helped 30,000 people. 

The 64-year-old, who served with the Royal Army Medical Corps for 25 years, is aware that Remembrance Day can be a particularly difficult time for veterans and wants to make sure they know this lifeline is there for them.

Dr Leach of Fernhill Heath, near Worcester, who is also NHS England medical director for military and veteran health, said there was a common perception that veterans were 'mad, sad, bad or in jail' which 'isn't true'.

Dr Leach, who completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia and Iraq, said the reality was that the vast majority of veterans have skills, expertise, knowledge and work ethic from their professional, military service which made them 'brilliant employees'.

However, Dr Leach who is also a GP at Davenal House Surgery in Bromsgrove, said a proportion of military veterans had significant mental health difficulties which was where Op COURAGE, set up in 2017, could help.

It is a self-referral service which has already carried out 30,000 assessments nationally and does not require a GP referral. 

"We know that helping people early makes a big difference before things get too ingrained. What we don't want is military veterans to be suffering in silence," he said.

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Dr Leach said veterans often reflect more on their experiences during anniversaries such as Remembrance Day, including friends who have been killed or injured. 

"We know that these are difficult times for them," he said.

"I'm really proud of what we have been able to deliver," he said.

Support for ex-soldiers

Op COURAGE is an NHS service supported by trained professionals who are from, or have experience of working with, the Armed Forces community.

This service can help if you're finding life difficult after leaving the military. Working together with Armed Forces charities, Op COURAGE will help you get the right type of specialist care, support and treatment for your specific needs.

To receive help and support from Op COURAGE, you must:

be a resident in England and have served in the UK armed forces for a full day

be registered with a GP surgery in England, or be willing and eligible to register with a GP

provide your military service number

It does not matter how long ago you left the armed forces or how long you served for. You can contact Op COURAGE even if you left many years ago.

You can also contact Op COURAGE if you're still serving but have a discharge date.

Contacting Op COURAGE

You can contact the service in many ways, including:

directly getting in touch yourself, or through a family member or friend

asking a GP or other healthcare representative to refer you

asking a charity to refer you

The service will arrange for you to have an assessment, to make sure you get the right care and support.

It's important to contact the Op COURAGE service for your local area. This allows them to give you the best support they can provide.

Call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net

Website: Op COURAGE Midlands