Veterans & Ex-Military
You left the forces. The fight did not end when you handed your kit back.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 now. If you need to talk right now, call Samaritans on 116 123, or text SHOUT to 85258.
Why this hits hard
Transitioning out of the military can strip away everything that kept you steady: structure, identity, your team, and your sense of purpose. You go from a world where every role is defined to one where you are on your own.
Many veterans carry invisible injuries — trauma, loss, and memories that civilians do not understand. The gap between military life and civilian life is real, and it is isolating.
You were trained to be tough, to keep going, to not ask for help. That training kept you alive in service. Out here, it can be the thing that puts you at risk.
Signs you are not okay
If you recognise yourself here, that is not a weakness. It is a sign to act.
Withdrawing from family or mates you served with
Drinking more than you mean to, or using it to switch off
Anger that comes fast and feels hard to control
Trouble sleeping, nightmares, or hypervigilance that will not switch off
Feeling like you have no role or purpose anymore
Where to turn
What you can do right now
Call Combat Stress or Op COURAGE today. You do not need to be in crisis to use them.
Reach out to one person you served with — they understand the silence better than anyone.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. You were trained to act. Acting now is no different.
You spent your career watching the backs of your team. It is not weakness to let someone watch yours now. The mission today is to stay alive. That is an order worth following.
Your story could save a life in Veterans & Ex-Military
If you have been through the storm and found a way through — or if you are still in it — other men in veterans & ex-military need to hear it. No graphic details. No methods. Just honest words about what happened, what helped, and what kept you here.
Share Your StoryYou can submit anonymously. Every story is reviewed before it is published.
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