Armed Forces Day takes place on the 28 June 2025.
Armed Forces Day recognises the commitment and resilience demonstrated by our entire Armed Forces community every day of the year. As a Veteran Friendly Surgery, we wanted to take a moment to express our thanks to those who serve and their Families, without their sacrifice we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.
On behalf of School Lane to all those in active service, veteran’s, reservists and their families, thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
The run-up to Veterans Day and Armistice Day can be a difficult time for veterans suffering from mental health issues. With conditions such PTSD and other combat-related problems veterans may encounter stimuli within the environment that remind of situations, and it may trigger unwanted thoughts in the form of nightmares or flashbacks. Military uniforms and enhanced combat coverage in the media can lead to an increase in these symptoms.
Reservists
Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that should their country require them, they would be ready to serve.
Cadet Organisations
Cadets The Cadet Forces (Sea Cadets, Volunteer Cadet Corps, Army Cadets, Air Cadets and the Combined Cadet Force) currently number over 135,000 cadets and 25,000 adult volunteers in more than 3,000 locations across the UK. The Cadet Forces provide the opportunity for young people to develop key life and career-building skills, and gain valuable vocational qualifications.
Families
Our Armed Forces couldn’t do their job without the incredible support of their family and friends.
Veterans Support
A veteran is anyone who has served in the HM Armed Forces at any time (including National Servicemen, Regulars and Reserves). Armed Forces Day celebrates their continued role within the military community.
Combat Stress If you need to talk to someone, Combat Stress has a dedicated mental health support helpline for veterans and their families.
The helpline number is 0800 138 1619, and it’s available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.
How Op COURAGE can help
Op COURAGE can help you and your family with a range of support and treatment, including:
- helping you transition from military to civilian life by providing mental health care with Defence Medical Services (DMS)
- helping you recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems, as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma
- providing support and treatment for substance misuse and addictions
- helping you to access other NHS mental health services if you need them, such as finding an NHS talking therapies service and eating disorder services
- liaising with charities and local organisations to support your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as help with housing, relationships, finances and employment
- supporting armed forces families affected by mental health problems, including helping them to access local services
YouTube: NHS video on what Op COURAGE is and how it can help