£5,690 Raised for British Armed Forces Mental Health Support as Every Funded Call Is Used
VÕS HELP and FAST HELP CIC are calling for continued support for serving military personnel and veterans as new government statistics highlight the importance of accessible mental health services.
Supporting the Mental Health of Those Who Serve
Last month, VÕS HELP founder James Priestley attempted a gruelling 12-hour rowing challenge to raise funds for free mental health support for British Armed Forces personnel and veterans.
The challenge was intended to raise awareness of the difficulties some serving personnel and former members of the military experience, while generating funds to provide practical support through the VÕS HELP mental health app.
Unfortunately, after almost eight hours of rowing, James suffered a serious hamstring injury and was forced to stop.
However, the fundraising campaign continued, ultimately raising an incredible £5,690.
Today, VÕS HELP and FAST HELP CIC can confirm that every free counselling and listening call funded by the challenge has now been used.
The money raised has been converted into real conversations, giving people access to someone who could listen, offer support and help them through difficult moments.
The rowing challenge may have ended early, but its purpose has been achieved.
Military Suicide Statistics: Understanding the Challenges Facing British Veterans
Suicide prevention remains an important public health priority across the United Kingdom, including within the Armed Forces community.
Official statistics published by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) provide valuable insight into suicide among serving personnel and former members of the military.
According to ONS figures, there were 253 registered suicides among UK Armed Forces veterans living in England and Wales in 2021.
Of these deaths, 237 involved men and 16 involved women, meaning approximately 94% were male.
The ONS also identified an increased suicide risk among male veterans aged 25 to 44 compared with men of the same age in the general population.
However, the findings also highlight an important distinction: the overall suicide rate among male veterans was not statistically different from that of the general male population after accounting for age.
This reinforces the importance of targeted mental health support rather than assuming every veteran faces the same level of risk.
Official source: Office for National Statistics – Suicides in UK Armed Forces Veterans, England and Wales
Suicide Among Serving British Armed Forces Personnel
The mental health experiences of serving personnel and veterans should be considered separately.
MOD statistics covering the period from 2005 to 2024 recorded 281 suicide deaths among UK regular Armed Forces personnel.
These figures underline why continued awareness, early intervention and access to appropriate mental health support remain important.
However, suicide rates among serving military personnel should not automatically be described as higher than those in the general population.
The MOD's annual statistical publications provide the necessary context, including comparisons by age, sex and military service.
Further information is available through the government's official publications:
Why Military Mental Health Support Matters
Military service can involve experiences and pressures that are difficult for others to understand.
For some individuals, the transition from military to civilian life may introduce new challenges, including loss of routine, employment uncertainty, relationship difficulties and social isolation.
Others may experience anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms or difficulties adjusting after leaving the Armed Forces.
It is important to recognise that many veterans transition successfully into civilian life and do not experience significant mental health difficulties.
For those who do need support, however, accessibility can make a meaningful difference.
The Ministry of Defence publishes annual mental health statistics examining the use of military healthcare services, including mental health referrals and treatment.
These reports help identify trends and inform future support.
Further reading:
£5,690 Raised: Turning Donations Into Free Mental Health Support
At VÕS HELP, our objective is simple: make it easier for people to speak to another human being when they need support.
Through our mobile application, users can connect with counsellors and trained listeners without the traditional delays associated with arranging appointments.
Working alongside FAST HELP CIC, we have been able to use donations to fund free conversations for people who might otherwise struggle to afford support.
The October rowing challenge raised £5,690.
At our £20 funding rate per hour, this represents the equivalent of 284.5 hours of mental health support.
Every call funded by the challenge has now been used.
This demonstrates that the funding was not simply raised and left sitting in an account. It was put towards providing access to real conversations.
We do not claim that a particular number of lives were saved. The impact of mental health support cannot be reduced to a single unverified statistic.
What we can say is that the campaign provided funded access to mental health conversations, and that the allocated calls have now been used.
The Funding Has Run Out. The Mission Hasn't.
The success of this campaign also highlights the need for continued funding.
The £5,690 raised through the rowing challenge has now been fully used to provide free support.
We want to continue making counselling and listening services available to serving personnel, veterans and members of the wider Armed Forces community who need help.
That is why VÕS HELP and FAST HELP CIC are seeking partnerships with businesses, employers, military organisations, veterans' charities and community groups.
A donation of just £20 can fund another hour of mental health support.
Larger contributions can help us provide more free conversations and reach additional people who may otherwise face financial barriers.
For organisations looking to support the Armed Forces community through their corporate social responsibility programmes, this provides a practical way to contribute.
How to Access Mental Health Support Through VÕS HELP
The VÕS HELP app was designed to make accessing human mental health support straightforward.
Users can download the app, find an available counsellor or trained listener and connect for a conversation.
Where funded free-call codes are available, eligible users can access support without paying for the funded session.
The platform is intended to complement, rather than replace, specialist military mental health services, NHS care or emergency crisis support.
Anyone experiencing immediate danger should call 999. Serving personnel and veterans can also seek specialist support through NHS and Armed Forces services.
Thank You to Everyone Who Supported the Rowing Challenge
To every person who donated, shared the fundraiser, encouraged the challenge or helped spread the message, thank you.
The challenge ended with an injury, but its purpose continued long after the rowing stopped.
£5,690 raised. Every funded call used. Real conversations made possible.
Our Armed Forces community deserves accessible mental health support, and we want to continue playing our part.
If you are a business, military organisation, veterans' charity or individual interested in helping fund the next round of free calls, please contact VÕS HELP or FAST HELP CIC.
The rowing stopped. The mission continues.
VÕS HELP, it's You.
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