There are times, though, when our symptoms and associated behaviours need more professional help, and it is then that we might need to reach out to our primary and secondary health services. In the Royal Marines, your GP/Medical Officers in each unit alongside their staff are able to assess your mental health needs and if necessary, they can refer you to Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) for further assessment and treatment. Royal Marines are uniquely able to self-refer directly to Project Regain should they wish.
24 HOUR HELP
- Samaritans – 116 123
- Combat Stress – Serving Personnel and their families – 0800 3234444
- Combat Stress – Veterans and their families – 0800 1381619
OFFICE HOURS
- RMA – The Royal Marines Charity – 0800 468 1664
- Project Regain – 01206 817057
- Naval Service Family & People Support – 0800 145 6088
- NHS Veterans Mental Health Services – Veterans: NHS mental health services – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Click here for a full list of Mental Health Helplines
For veterans, the pathway is slightly different dependent on which country in the United Kingdom you reside. Similar to serving personnel there is Combat Stress 24-hour helpline 0800 138 1619. The most important thing for military veterans is to ensure you are registered with a GP and if you are having mental health difficulties you should make them aware that you are a veteran. NHS England Veterans’ MH Services have vastly improved, and we at the RMA-The Royal Marines Charity work closely with them to provide support. Royal Marines veterans who present with mental distress must engage with their GP or veteran services but the charity can also gain access to funded, recognised and approved therapeutic support close to where you live, when NHS waiting times or local resources may prohibit timely support.