Guide to recovery
Here we encourage you to think about what recovery means to you and help you identify your opportunities to move forward.
In crisis? find out how you can get urgent support
If you need support urgently or outside of our working hours, please don’t hesitate to contact
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
A crisis text support service for people in the military community who are struggling and need immediate support to get through a crisis. Text CONTACT to 85258. #TextCONTACT85258
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.
COMBAT STRESS
For urgent psychological support, please call 0800 1381619
SHELTER
For urgent housing support, please call 0808 800 4444
Dealing with anxiety
Anxiety is when you feel uneasy about something. It might lead to worry or fear.
It’s a natural reaction to stress and is very common. Everyone feels anxious at times. You might feel a bit anxious before a job interview or if you have a big medical appointment.
If you find it difficult to control your worries and it affects your life on a regular basis, mental health professionals in our Hidden Wounds team could help you.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is the name for a group of conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder. Panic disorders and phobias are also types of anxiety.
The term generalised anxiety disorder, or GAD, is a long-term condition. It means you often feel anxious about several things, and not anything specific.
You might feel a sense of doom or that you are losing control. It could make you feel dizzy, restless, and affect your sleep and concentration. It might also cause your heart to beat irregularly.
How to ease anxiety
As well as getting professional help if you think you need it, there are positive steps you can take to manage it.
Less news is good news – consuming less news can have a big positive impact on your mental health. It’s good to stay informed but focusing too much on things that are out of your control can make you anxious. Set yourself a limit on the amount of news you consume each day. Avoid stories or footage that make you sad.
Focus on the good things – try to focus on the good things in your life. Writing a daily gratitude list at the end of each day can help. Put down things that make you happy and take some time to reflect on these things. Avoid focusing on things you don’t have, can’t currently do, or things that are out of your control.
Think positive – the power of positive thinking can really boost your mental health. If negative thoughts are creeping in, talk to yourself in a positive, kind and supportive way. Just as you would do to a relative or good friend who has come to you for advice. Doing this regularly can make a big difference.
Do something that makes you smile – set time aside in your day to do the things you really enjoy and make you feel better. This could be swimming, yoga, walking, or reading a book. Exercise in the fresh air also helps your mental health. Socialising is also so good for your mental health.
Breathe – take some time each day to meditate or do some breathing exercises. These can be a fantastic way to manage worry, anxiety, or stress. We have these videos that show some breathing exercises you could try.
We put on sports and social activities for veterans and their families across the UK. There are a range of sports and hobbies you could try. Just a coffee morning or walk with other friendly veterans and families could make you feel so much better.
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SMART goals
Goal setting is important - it helps you to keep moving forwards in your recovery journey.
Daily routine
In this guide, we offer useful hints and tips to consider when planning your routine.
Wellness action plan
This guide will help you understand what motivates you and how you can manage and boost your own wellbeing.
Sleeping well
If you’re struggling to get enough sleep, you’re not alone. It’s a common problem which affects people from all walks of life. There are many positive steps you can take to improve your sleep.
Eating well
What you eat and drink can have a big impact on your physical and mental health. Making some small, healthy changes to your diet could bring big benefits.
Yoga
Discover how yoga can help you feel calmer, healthier, and more resilient in this series of home workout videos.
Self-help guides
These easy-to-follow self-help guides will give you useful information and tips to make positive and lasting change in key areas of your life.
Recovery College
Our Recovery College is the first to be designed specifically for wounded veterans and their families. Each course will help you identify your ambitions and gain the confidence, knowledge and understanding necessary to achieve them.
Suicide Awareness Training
Help us create suicide-safer communities for veterans by taking our free online training today.
Living with low mood and depression
Low mood can affect people’s thoughts. Sometimes depression makes everything feel harder to do. If this sounds like something you’re experiencing, these courses can help you.
Understanding anger
When anger becomes overwhelming, it can be distressing and lead to difficulties in your day-to-day life. We can help you learn how to manage your anger.