50,000 veterans 'mental health problems'

The estimates are based on official Ministry of Defence figures which show that 191,690 British soldiers have been deployed personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. Some 50,000 of these have seen action in both war zones.

Experts have warned of a tidal wave of cases of mental trauma caused by service on the frontline by overworked soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.Existing research shows that 27 per cent of veterans are likely to develop mental health problems from their time in the front line.Of those, around 5 per cent are likely to suffer from the more serious Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can lead to alcoholism and depression and other problems.

Combat Stress, the veterans’ mental health charity, said that based on the MoD figures it would mean that 51,000 veterans were likely to show symptoms of mental health problems because of their service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The charity also said that 9,200 veterans were potentially going to display symptoms of PTSD – twice Combat Stress’s current case load. This week it launched a new six week programme to help veterans with PTSD.Andrew Cameron, Combat Stress’s chief executive, said the the number of veterans contacting the charity is steadily increasing, up 10 per cent year on year.

He said: “That is why it is critical that Combat Stress raises £10million every year so that we can diagnose, treat and support Veterans and their families as they try and rebuild their lives.“We can provide the unique, bespoke, high-quality mental health services that Veterans need to move back to productive and fulfilling lives. Our brave men, women and their selfless families deserve nothing less.”

Last year, Combat Stress launched its “Enemy Within” appeal, supported by The Daily Telegraph, to raise funds for the network of psychiatric nurses to treat veterans. So far £19.7million of the planning £30million has been banked, the charity said.

To contribute to Combat Stress's Enemy Within appeal, send a cheque payable to "Combat Stress" to the charity at Tyrwhitt House, Oaklawn Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0BX. Or go to www.combatstress.org.uk/tele to donate online.

By Christopher Hope, The Telegraph