Almost 20,000 military veterans are being treated for mental health issues by the NHS after leaving the forces, latest figures show.
They are being treated for issues including depression, PTSD, anxiety, self harm, psychosis, drug and alcohol difficulties, and gambling addiction.
Between April 2025 and this March, 19,432 ex service members sought help. The total is more a tenth of the 148,000 in the armed forces.
Support organisations see high demand
Organisations that support former military personnel say navigating life on Civvy Street can be daunting as many struggle after being institutionalised by years in the forces.
Colin Eastaway at The Block, in Liverpool, which offers support to veterans, said many former servicemen and women suffer in silence though.
The former paratrooper, who set up the organisation in 2020 after struggling himself, said: “Things fell hard for me in Covid, I lost my employment and was struggling to pay the bills.
“I tried to get help, but felt doors were closed in my face. I had the idea to create this drop-in space to offer support for other veterans.”
So far this year 160 former servicemen have visited his offices seeking help. Colin said: “Demand is high, we’re always busy. We help people navigate available support, provide mental health support with specialists.
“Everything is intertwined – mental health problems, homelessness, financial issues. But a problem shared is a problem halved. We help people bridge the gaps, pick up the slack.
“We have eight self-contained flats. Here you can speak to specialists, or other veterans. Our door’s always open.”
As the numbers visiting increase, the main problem is money. Colin said: “I can’t tell you why the numbers are so high, maybe word is getting around that we are helping. But the issue is always about funding. We can only plan for the next six months ahead.”
Veterans describe struggles after service
Kieran Smith, 30, spent nine years in the RAF before leaving in 2024. He said: “There was a massive drop-off from that organised life to Civvy Street. I wasn’t prepared for it. It was a struggle from the start.
“I left the military with an alcohol addiction and mental health issues so I was already on the back foot. The military can only do so much. I was in and out of hospital. I was homeless on a number of occasions, sleeping in my car.
“A big component of alcoholism is denial. When you’re in hospital, the whole aim is to detox you. But the internal problems were much larger.”
Kieran, who was put in touch with Colin, said: “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. They gave me a base, they gave me support around the clock.
“I did create a lot of work for them. Things were really deep. There were so many things I didn’t understand. In the military everything is done for you. I was in mental torment. They put me in touch with an addiction specialist. It’s not been an easy road but they put me in the right place.”
Blair Murray, 44, who served for more than a decade in the Royal Logistics Corps, was made homeless by a landlord last year. After sofa-surfing with friends, he spent 17 weeks living in a tent in woodland in County Durham.
The local authority has now placed him in a hotel while he seeks permanent housing. He said: “I’ve been out for 16 years and a lot of the problems are due to my mental health.
“I’ve struggled to get help. The system is so complicated. I didn’t help myself at first, I was taking drugs, life was a constant battle. I’d get high as it made me forget my problems.
“It affects people around you. I’ve been declined social housing. I’ve been offered hostels, but there’s drink and drugs I don’t want to be around.”
Blair, who served in Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia and the Falklands, added: “When I left they didn’t prepare you for Civvy Street. Now they get people in six months before you leave to help prepare you.
"That wasn’t there for me. All the doctor wanted to do was stuff me full of antidepressants. It costs £600 a week to put me in this hotel – a lot more than housing benefits cost. The whole system isn’t working.”
Research and official response
Dave Tindale, from Changing Step North East, which provides help, support and advice for veterans, said: “Every client we assist has different issues. Dealing with the different authorities can be daunting.
“Mental health services are not diagnostic, so they treat without properly diagnosing the problems. They have not got the time or resources to properly assess people. Often, the only way to properly diagnose problems is by going down the private route, but that costs a lot.”
Research by the King’s Centre for Military Health Research in 2024 found rates of probable PTSD and mental disorders had increased among UK Armed Forces personnel, as well as former personnel. The report investigated the impact of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on health and wellbeing.
Its recommendations included continued investment into Armed Forces and veteran mental health services, as well as a review of provision of treatment and care of complex PTSD and alcohol misuse.
A 2022 survey of 4,910 veterans, found 55% have experienced a mental or physical health issue potentially related to service since leaving. More than 80% said their condition got worse as civilians.
The MoD said: “We have made significant improvements to mental health support for personnel and veterans.
“All personnel receive a structured mental health assessment when they leave service. We back NHS England with £25million a year for healthcare services for veterans, service leavers, reservists and their families.”
It added: “A new £50m Valour programme will make support services from health to housing, employment and finance, more joined up at every level, making it easier for veterans to access support.”
