Soldiers, veterans and their families will have improved access to timely mental health support, thanks to our recent grant of £30,000 to The Icarus Charity.
Timely mental health support can be life‑changing, yet members of the Army family occasionally face barriers when seeking help. Long waits, limited specialist provision, concerns about stigma, and the challenges of military life can all prevent individuals from accessing the care they need. For those living with service‑related trauma, anxiety or stress, finding support that understands the realities of military life is especially important.
To help address this, the Army Benevolent Fund is working with The Icarus Charity, an online mental health organisation that supports veterans, reservists, serving personnel and their adult family members. Their mission is simple: to ensure anyone connected to the UK Armed Forces who is struggling with their mental health can access the right support quickly and easily.
The Icarus Charity delivers flexible therapy alongside coping skills training, stress‑management sessions, and mental health awareness programmes. Their practitioners and volunteers include people with lived or professional experience of the Armed Forces community, helping to create a service that feels safe, relatable and responsive. Individuals also shape the development of the service through regular feedback, ensuring that support remains relevant and accessible.
Our funding will contribute to core costs that allow The Icarus Charity to continue providing confidential online mental health support through their established digital pathway. This includes initial assessments, one‑to‑one therapy for service‑related difficulties, group and individual skills sessions, and signposting to wider support where needed. The online model removes common barriers such as geography, mobility issues, operational commitments, anxiety around in‑person appointments, and the disruption caused by frequent moves or deployment.
Philippa Mainstone, Chief Executive Officer at The Icarus Charity, said:
“We are incredibly grateful for this support, which will enable us to continue providing timely, accessible mental health support to veterans, serving personnel, reservists, and their families. This funding will make a real difference in helping individuals access the right support when they need it most.”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer at the Army Benevolent Fund, added:
“The pressures associated with military life can make it difficult for people to reach out for mental health support, and some may face additional barriers when they try. The Icarus Charity’s approach is particularly valuable for those who may otherwise face long waits, struggle to navigate mainstream systems, or feel misunderstood in settings where military experience is not widely recognised. Our funding will ensure more members of the Army community can access timely help and begin to move forward with confidence.”
To find out more about The Icarus Charity, visit its website here.