World Mental Health Day, taking place on Friday 10 October 2025, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in good mental health.
The ABF is keen to promote and enable better mental health and wellbeing so that soldiers, veterans and their immediate families can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
We provide wide-ranging assistance to ensure that serving and former soldiers, including those with complex mental health conditions, can access specialist treatment and support. This assistance ranges from funding a young soldier to receive counselling for childhood trauma; to enabling an older veteran to access support to help manage the symptoms of complex PTSD.
Around a third of our funding to other charities and organisations focuses on improving the mental health and wellbeing of the Army family. Last year, we awarded grants to 46 charities that assist in this key area of need.
Below are just some of the charities and projects we are proud to support this World Mental Health Day.
Based in Edinburgh, Change Mental Health is a is a national mental health charity delivering non-clinical, person-centred support to people affected by mental illness in communities across the country.
Our recent grant of £10,000 is helping to meet the costs of the charity’s Veterans’ Community Café, which offers vital peer support to veterans of all ages and backgrounds who are experiencing isolation or mental health challenges.
Run by a veteran coordinator, this provides a safe space for open conversations, practical guidance, and activities shaped by the needs of its members. Alongside free refreshments and homemade meals, veterans benefit from guest speakers and partner organisations offering advice on topics such as benefits, housing, training, and wellbeing.
The Not Forgotten supports veterans and service personnel living with injury, illness and isolation.
We have recently contributed £80,000 towards the Not Forgotten’s costs of running a variety of social, respite and challenge opportunities, and a unique series of prestige royal events, for injured veterans and serving personnel.
The Not Forgotten focuses on wellbeing, offering events that create a relaxed environment where veterans can connect, share experiences, and often take the first step in discussing personal struggles. The charity also signposts individuals to partner organisations for specialist medical support, when needed.
Based in the North West, the Bay Veterans Association is a community-led organisation supporting veterans and their families in times of hardship. Its team of veterans, veteran family members and volunteers address loneliness and social isolation by providing breakfast clubs, coffee mornings and wellbeing activities at a hub and drop-in centre in Morecambe’s Arndale Centre.
The charity now has 500+ members and has become the largest veterans’ support group in the region. Our £5,000 grant towards the running costs of the community hub means members will continue to receive a warm welcome in a safe environment where they meet like-minded people and take part in activities that help to improve their mental wellbeing.
The Gwennili Trust exists to offer respite by providing offshore yacht sailing opportunities for people with disabilities, with a particular focus on personnel on recovery duty and veterans facing mental, physical or social challenges.
This year, our grant of £10,000 has contributed to the running costs of a dedicated project that offers sailing opportunities designed to restore a sense of purpose and wellbeing. Time spent on the water brings discovery, adventure, camaraderie, and personal achievement, helping participants to build confidence, resilience, and teamwork skills.
Being there for the Army family this World Mental Health Day
At the Army Benevolent Fund, we remain dedicated to ensuring that soldiers, veterans, and their families have access to the mental health support they need. From peer networks and safe spaces to counselling, wellbeing activities, and opportunities to reconnect with others, we are proud to fund projects that make a lasting difference. Our support continues not just on World Mental Health Day, but every day of the year.