Veteran Mental Health Services
Mental Health Support For Veterans, Service Leavers, Reservists, Families and Carers
We provide tailored clinical treatment and compassionate support to veterans of the British Armed Forces and their families, focusing on both low-level and complex mental health challenges arising during or after military service. For many, the transition to civilian life is far from easy. The psychological impact of service can linger long after the uniform is retired, and without the right care, trauma can take a devastating toll.
At the core of our mission is a clear belief: military trauma should not define or destroy the lives of those who served or the families who stand beside them. For over a decade, we’ve supported people across the North East including former servicemen and women through a range of mental health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression — helping them move forward with dignity, resilience, and hope.
Every veteran and their families deserves the chance to write their next chapter free from the shadows of their service. At Anxious Minds, we’re committed to making that possibility a reality.
This Service is FREE to Veterans, Families, Carers and HM Forces Reservists.
North Tyneside Veteran Recovery College
At Anxious Minds’ Veteran Recovery College, we deeply understand the unique mental health challenges faced by Veterans and their families.
Our team of compassionate professionals, many of whom are Veterans themselves, provide a wide range of free courses and support services to empower Veterans and their loved ones. These services include individual counselling, women-only support groups, workshops, peer support groups and assistance with alcohol and drug recovery. Our programs not only offer practical tools for managing mental health but also foster a strong sense of community and camaraderie, which is vital for those transitioning from military to civilian life.
Our North Tyneside Veteran Recovery College, was the first of its kind in the North East, offers tailored courses co-created and co-delivered by Veterans, family members and our dedicated Recovery staff. This ensures that every course is built on a foundation of lived experience and deep understanding of the challenges Veterans face, such as PTSD, depression and anxiety.
What can you learn at Anxious Minds’ Recovery College?
Our courses are designed to provide Veterans and their families with the knowledge and skills to take control of their physical and mental well-being, helping them move forward in their lives with confidence. Topics include
At the College
- Veteran Mental Health Services
- Advice and Benefit Support Services
- Housing Support
- Employment Support
- Support For Food Poverty
- Fitness Classes
- Support Groups and Workshops
- Events
- Grief and Loss Support
- Veteran and Community Kitchen
- Addiction Support Groups
Outdoor Therapy
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Woodland School
- Rock Climbing
At Anxious Minds, we believe that with the right support, recovery is always possible. Our mission is to empower Veterans and their families in the North East to take meaningful steps toward improved mental health and well-being, building hope, resilience and confidence every step of the way. All services are FREE and fully funded for Veterans and their Families, HM Forces Reservists and Carers.
East Durham Veteran Recovery College
Opening Soon in East Durham the Veteran Recovery College will work with the local council, NHS and local veteran charities to provide early intervention and long-term support for veterans and their families from across the Durham and Sunderland area.
Our team will consist of compassionate professionals, many of whom are Veterans themselves, Volunteers and peer support workers to provide a wide range of free courses and support services to empower Veterans and their loved ones. These services include individual counselling, women-only support groups, workshops, peer support groups and assistance with alcohol and drug recovery.
The service will mirror the multi-award-winning Veteran Recovery College located in North Tyneside. Our programs not only offer practical tools for managing mental health but also foster a strong sense of community and camaraderie, which is vital for those transitioning from military to civilian life.
Infomation Coming Soon
Veteran Families and Carers Support
Veteran Families & Carers Centre
At Anxious Minds, no veteran family or carer is left behind. We offer free, compassionate support to North East veteran families, recognising that transition affects the whole household. From counselling, trauma support, and peer groups to employment guidance and family activity days, we help families feel seen, heard, and connected. We also assist with emergency food, benefits, grants, and training to empower and stabilise family life. Join a welcoming community where your journey is understood and your future is supported.
Veteran Family Member Peer Support Group
Every Thursday | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Our peer support group is open to all family members of veterans seeking informal, face-to-face support in a non-judgemental setting. Whether you’re looking for a space to talk, connect with others, or simply listen, you’re welcome here.
The group can serve as a first step toward more tailored support, but its core aim is to build a strong, supportive network of people with lived experience who understand and relate to each other’s challenges.
There’s no pressure to share or participate beyond your comfort level — you set the pace.
Come as you are, and be part of a community that listens, understands, and supports.
The Veteran & Community Kitchen
Join Us at the Veteran and Community Kitchen!
At Anxious Minds, we believe in more than just feeding the body; we feed the soul. Our Veteran and Community Kitchen is more than just a place to eat—it’s a sanctuary for individuals and families teetering on the brink of crisis. Every week, we provide a warm, welcoming environment where veterans and members of the community can come together, share a meal and find much-needed support.
Why Our Kitchen Matters
- A Lifeline in Crisis: For many, our kitchen is the first point of contact in accessing a wide range of support services. It’s a space where they are met with understanding, respect and practical help to navigate through tough times.
- More Than Just a Meal: Sharing a meal in our kitchen is more than just nourishment; it’s about community, hope and solidarity. It’s a reminder that no one has to face their challenges alone.
- Addressing Deeper Issues: Beyond feeding the hungry, we connect people with additional resources, from mental health support to social services, helping address the root causes of poverty and economic distress.
- Building Resilience: Our kitchen fosters a community that stands together, providing pathways toward stability, self-sufficiency and a brighter future.
Together, we can make a difference. Visit the Veteran and Community Kitchen today and be a part of something bigger—a community united in compassion, support and change.
Support into Housing
From supporting Veterans and their families to purchase their first home before they leaving the Armed Forces through to preventing and responding to homelessness, our specialist team is trained to provide tailored housing advice and practical support to members of the Armed Forces community at every stage of their housing journey.
We understand the unique challenges faced by veterans and their families when transitioning into civilian housing and work closely with individuals to ensure they can secure and sustain appropriate accommodation.
Our service offers comprehensive housing support across a wide range of issues, including moving home, threatened or actual homelessness, rent arrears, tenancy sustainment, and navigating local housing systems. We provide clear guidance, advocacy, and hands-on assistance to help individuals understand their options, access the right services, and resolve housing problems before they escalate into crisis.
We have established strong, trusted working relationships with local authority housing departments, housing associations, and specialist charities that provide accommodation and support for homeless veterans. These partnerships enable us to coordinate timely, joined-up responses, ensuring individuals receive the right support at the right time. Through this collaborative approach, we help veterans not only secure safe and stable housing, but also successfully settle into their local communities, promoting long-term stability, independence, and wellbeing.
Benefits and Financial Support
Our team is made up of highly experienced, fully trained caseworkers who specialise in welfare benefits and financial support for the Armed Forces community. With a deep understanding of both civilian and veteran-specific systems, we provide expert guidance that is tailored to each individual’s circumstances. We work closely with trusted national referral partners, including the Royal British Legion and SSAFA, to ensure that the support you receive is timely, accurate, and effective.
We begin by carrying out a comprehensive assessment of your individual situation, looking not only at your immediate financial circumstances but also at your wider needs, including housing, health, employment, and family responsibilities. This holistic approach allows us to identify potential issues early and ensure you are receiving the full range of support available to you.
Where benefits advice or support is required, we bring over ten years of experience helping individuals access the benefits they are entitled to, including support with applications, evidence gathering, and ongoing claims. As members of Advice UK, we are able to provide trusted, high-quality advice directly, or, where appropriate, refer or work jointly with specialist organisations to ensure you receive the most appropriate and effective support possible.
Employment Support
In line with the Armed Forces Covenant, we ensure that service leavers, veterans, and their families experience no disadvantage in accessing employment, training, and education opportunities. Through strong partnerships with local authority employment teams and a wide range of Armed Forces–focused employment organisations, we deliver tailored, person-centred employment support that enables individuals to successfully transition into sustainable civilian careers.
We work closely with specialist veteran employment organisations, providing access to a broad range of employment, apprenticeship, and training pathways designed specifically for the Armed Forces community. This collaborative approach allows us to support individuals to translate their military skills, qualifications, and lived experience into meaningful civilian roles, aligned with local labour market demand across the North East.
Alongside this, we operate a dedicated North East veteran job board, connected to over 50 employment agencies across the region. This ensures timely access to live opportunities and enables individuals to engage with the most appropriate employment or training options at the right stage of their transition journey.
By combining early intervention, targeted employment support, and strong employer networks, we improve employment outcomes, strengthen financial stability, and promote long-term wellbeing for veterans and their families.
Visit our North East Jobs Board and Register.
Veteran and Families Fitness
Our Veteran and Families Fitness Classes offer a warm, welcoming, and supportive space for veterans and their loved ones to improve their physical health, boost mental wellbeing, and build meaningful connections. These sessions are designed for all ages, abilities, and fitness levels, making them perfect for families who want to get healthier together.
Led by experienced instructors who understand the unique needs of veterans and military families, each class focuses on:
Improving strength, flexibility, and overall fitness
Supporting better mental health and emotional resilience
Encouraging teamwork, confidence, and connection
Creating a friendly community of peers and families
Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or looking to challenge yourself, our classes offer a supportive environment where everyone is welcome.
Why Join Our Classes?
These classes are free for veterans and their families being supported by the Veteran Recovery College as part of their recovery programme.
Suitable for beginners and all fitness levels
Great for physical and mental wellbeing
A positive space to meet others and have fun
Led by instructors trained to support the veteran community
Stay fit, make friends, and feel great – all for free.
This Service is in Wallsend
Join Us Today
Take the next step toward a healthier, happier future.
Get in touch to book your place or learn more about upcoming sessions.
Veteran and Families Boxing Club
Build strength. Build confidence. Build resilience.
Our Veteran Boxing Club offers veterans and their families a powerful, supportive, and motivating space to improve fitness, boost mental wellbeing, and reconnect with a sense of discipline and purpose. Boxing is more than a physical workout — it’s a way to channel stress, build resilience, and strengthen both mind and body.
Led by experienced coaches who understand military life, our training sessions are tailored for all skill levels — whether you’re stepping into the ring for the first time or returning with years of experience.
A Supportive Space for Veterans and Families
Our club isn’t just about boxing — it’s about belonging. Veterans and their loved ones can train together, support one another, and rebuild confidence in a safe, friendly, and empowering environment.
Gloves On, Stress Off
Fight for your wellbeing and discover the benefits of boxing with a team that has your back.
Join the Veteran Boxing Club today and start your journey toward a stronger, healthier you.
This service is in the West End of Newcastle.
Veteran and Families Outdoor Therapy
As part of our Recovery program, we offer outdoor-based therapies and fitness activities. It is well known that exercise and building support networks encourage and promote positive mental health. Likewise, outdoor engagement and sport can provide a form of alternative mental health support and act as a “soft” engagement mechanism into our broader services for those a little nervous about engaging in counselling, etc.
Get Out and Get Active is an innovative program by Anxious Minds that aims to improve the mental health and well-being of individuals through sport and physical activity. It combines the benefits of exercise with mental health support to aid recovery, combat social isolation, and empower people to lead healthier, more positive lives.
About Outdoor Therapy
Our outdoor therapy program has a simple yet powerful mission:
“To enhance the mental health and well-being of individuals through outdoor activity and fitness.”
For more information please call (0191) 308 4030
Veteran Recovery College, Wallsend Memorial Hall, 10 Frank Street, Wallsend ,NE28 6RN
Some of the many awards we have won for veteran healthcare and mental health
Funded By
