Mental Health
Are you – or someone you know – struggling with your mental health?
See below for more information about what we offer, or simply get in touch via the VOS office.
We provide mental health support at our monthly Drop-Ins. You will meet one of our clinical team where they can complete a triage to assess your presenting needs.
We also have our Delivery Partners, e.g. Op COURAGE NHS, Inclusion Recovery Hampshire, and Samaritans – just to name a few, who will also be able to help you too.
The Portsmouth VOS Drop-In takes place on the first Wednesday of every month from 1400 to 1700 (new registrations welcome to arrive from 1330) in the Royal Maritime Hotel, Queen Street, Portsmouth.
The Isle of Wight VOS Drop-In takes place on the third Wednesday of every month from 1200 to 1600 in the Riverside Centre (Community Action IOW), The Quay, Newport PO30 2QR.
We look forward to seeing you there.
If you are unable to attend one of our Drop-Ins please do contact us and we will arrange a suitable time to speak with you.
We offer:
- Triages – If you are unable to attend one of our drop-ins, then you can call the VOS team and speak with a member of staff to arrange a triage. You will be seen within 7 days by one of our clinical team. The purpose of the triage is to establish your presenting needs.
- Mental health assessments include:
- Psychological assessments – undertaken by our Clinical Psychologist. This is more in-depth, and covers your presenting problems, the impact this is having on your life, your social situation and other relevant background, risk to yourself and to others. Once this is completed a formulation and recommendation will be made. This may include the type of therapy that VOS could offer or a referral to another service.
- Psychiatric assessments – undertaken by our Consultant Psychiatrist/Clinical Lead. A psychiatric assessment is the process of gathering information about a person with the purpose of making a diagnosis. The assessment is usually the first stage of a treatment process of your problem/s, and recommendations to plan your care and treatment.
- Mental health wellbeing support – undertaken by one of our clinical team which may involve, 1-2-1 work, such as psycho-education and stabilisation activities.
- Therapy – undertaken by one of our qualified therapists who are trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and Trauma Focus Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Counselling Therapy.
Currently, we have a waiting list for therapy, we will inform you of the waiting times throughout the process. Whilst waiting for therapy you will be offered mental health wellbeing support.
Your physical health plays an important part of your wellbeing. We can advocate on your behalf with your GP service should you need this. UK veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS care for service-related conditions.
We will accept referrals for veterans from the UK Armed Forces and Merchant Navy along with their spouses, partners and carers.
If you are a professional wishing to refer a veteran or their family member (carer/spouse/partner) to VOS please download and complete the attached referral form and email admin@vosuk.org or call the office on 02392 731767 *Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 17:00, excluding bank holidays, to discuss the referral.
You can also contact us should you wish to discuss a referral prior to submitting a form on 02392 731767.
We will contact the individual to arrange a triage within 7 days of receiving the referral and we will contact you to advise of the outcome.
Please note: You will need the consent of the person you are referring and their service number before you refer.
We recognise that it can be difficult at times to support a loved one who is experiencing mental health and wellbeing difficulties. Sometimes when you care for your loved one, it can feel difficult to take time to look after yourself. Your mental health and wellbeing matter too.
Should you require support, call the office on 02392 731767 (Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 17:00, excluding bank holidays). As a carer/spouse/partner of a veteran you can also have access to our wellbeing, welfare and mental health services.
Other help and support available:
Veterans Gateway – Provide information, advice and support for veterans and their families. www.veteransgateway.org.uk
Ripple Pond – Supporting adult family members of physically or psychologically injured British Armed Forces personnel and veterans. They offer a peer support service to connect you, virtually or face-to-face, with a network of Forces families, who’ll offer you genuine support and understanding. www.theripplepond.org
Portsmouth Carers Service – provides support for carers (unpaid/informal) who care for someone living in postcodes PO1-PO6. https://portsmouthcarersservice.co.uk/
Royal British Legion (RBL) – RBL work with Dementia UK to provide Admiral Nurses – a specialist service helping the Armed Forces community and their families living with dementia. Contact 0808 802 8080 (freephone number) for support.
Andover Mind – provide services across Hampshire, supporting people with mental health, adult carers, and people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. www.andovermind.org.uk
We are embedded within the community and work closely with partner agencies to ensure you receive seamless support.
Please note we are VOS is not a crisis mental health service and if you need support urgently or outside of our working hours, please contact:
- A trusted family member or friend
- Your GP
- SAMARITANS - Freephone their Veterans Support Hub for the military community on 0808 175 3075 (24/7) or email jo@samaritans.org – to access confidential emotional support for feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
- SHOUT - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year texting service. If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support, text SHOUT to 85258. www.stayalive.app (opens in a new browser tab).
- NHS 111 - To access medical help fast but when it’s not a 999 emergency, telephone 111 (available 24 hours). To access information from the NHS on conditions, treatments, local services, and healthy living, visit the NHS website.
- New Veterans NHS High Intensity Service - call 111 and notify the operator that you are a veteran, and you will be directed towards the most appropriate help. Family members can call on behalf of the veteran. The service is run by the NHS, Ambulance, Walking with the Wounded, and All Call Signs.
