The physical and mental fitness of our personnel is important, and the RAF support its workforce to ensure it is at its optimum. Below are useful links and a range of tools and resources to support you and your family and friends.

Mental Fitness

A range of public and defence-led resources to strengthen mental health.

NHS Every Mind Matters - This service from the NHS gives simple tips for looking after your mental health, from dealing with stress and anxiety to how to sleep better.

HeadFIT – A new online tool to help defence people manage the stresses of everyday life. Tools include breathing exercises, body posture and relaxation techniques.

Headspace - The Headspace app provides guides on mindfulness, meditation, sleep and more. Serving RAF personnel can get free membership to the Headspace app by emailing [email protected] from an MoD email address, quoting their service number.

Samaritans – the charity has created a Military Support Guide to provide advice on how to support someone who is struggling to cope.

Shout – The charity offers 24/7 confidential crisis support via text for times when you need immediate assistance. Text SHOUT to 85258.

The Defence Academy Mental Fitness and Resilience Fundamentals Online Course is a 2 hour e-learning course, giving the essentials to build psychological resilience and is available 24/7.  The Annual Mental Fitness Brief is also available with MODnet access via The Defence Gateway.

RAF Chaplains - Our multi-faith Chaplains offer universal support to all our personnel irrespective of their religious background. If you wish to talk to someone, contact your station guardroom for the number of the duty Chaplain.

HSE Talking Toolkit for Preventing Work-Related Stress – This Government toolkit has relevant advice for remote working.

Physical Health

Resources for keeping physically fit, for personnel and civilians in lockdown.

Remote Workout Series

Follow our at-home workouts on YouTube led by RAF Physical Training Instructors.

LES MILLS

The RAF Central Fund has partnered with LES MILLS to offer RAF personnel 60 days free access to LES MILLS™ On Demand – an online fitness service – plus a special discounted rate for those wishing to continue their membership beyond this period. Get your free trial here.

Defence Nutrition Advisory Service

DNAS provides expert advice on diet, nutrition and military feeding. The following advice is particularly relevant during the coronavirus lockdown:

Defence Medical Services e-consult

A new digital access service allows personnel to contact their medical centre electronically.

NHS & Exercise

Get advice for daily exercise, including the couch to 5k programme, get advice for daily exercise here, including the couch to 5k programme.

Sleep

Healthy sleep is important for both physical health (especially the immune system) and mental health. Find tips for improved sleep quality from the Sleep Foundation.

Public Health England

The Government’s advice and guidelines on dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic.

NHS

Medical advice regarding Coronavirus.

Charity Support

A host of RAF-specific and public-focused charities are available to assist in wellbeing.

RAF Benevolent Fund - This charity offers support for all serving RAF personnel and veterans as well as their partners and dependants, with a focus building stronger families through counselling and mental wellbeing.

RAF Association - RAFA provides welfare support by charitable means to all serving and former members of the RAF, their spouses and dependants. 

RAF Families Federation - This organisation provides an independent voice for all personnel and their families.

RAF Central Fund  - A charity that works to safeguard the health and wellbeing of serving RAF personnel through grant funding for sport and physical activities.

Samaritans - The Samaritans give advice on dealing with issues including stress and anxiety, either for yourself or a friend or family member. Phone 116 123 for free.

Combat Stress - A free 24-hour mental-health helpline for serving personnel. Family members concerned about a service person’s mental health can also call the helpline: 0800 323 4444.

SSAFA  - The armed forces charity will help personnel and their families in a variety of challenges.

Togetherall - This organisation provides 24/7 anonymous online support for mental health. The service is free for all serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their family members aged 16+.

Mind - The mental health charity provides support to anyone who needs it.

The Charity for Civil Servants  – Support for civil servants, past and present, for when times are tough. 

Other Useful Links

RAF Serving Families Support – Advice for partners and families of RAF personnel, including what to do in an emergency.

The Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination helpline offers support for all Defence Personnel, available on 0800 014 2381 (UK) or +44 330 008 5942 (Outside UK).