Veterans’ PTSD symptoms in wake of Taliban takeover

CALLS to a veterans’ charity helpline have more than doubled during the UK’S withdrawal from Afghanistan – with former soldiers reporting symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and feelings of disillusionment with the 20-year campaign.

Combat Stress, a charity for veterans’ mental health, said the number of calls had surged from around 200 a week to more than 400 in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover of the country.

Jeff Harrison, interim chief executive of the charity, also revealed that veterans from all conflicts, including Northern Ireland and the Falklands War, were coming forward distressed by the recent developments which have seen Nato forces withdraw from the nation.

He told Sky News on Monday: “We’ve seen a big increase in calls to our helpline. They had effectively doubled. What we’ve seen is veterans reporting symptoms of

PTSD increasing. They’re frustrated, angry, upset, getting flashbacks, getting nightmares and finding it difficult to sleep.

“The other concern we have is that the veterans speaking to us are really confused about their time in the country. When they were there, they knew the good work they were doing; they knew the difference they were making bringing relative stability there. Now they’re back here, they’re confused. If it was so important, why did we pull out so quickly?” Armed forces minister James Heappey, a former Army officer who himself served in the country, said: “The Government, the nation, needs to put our arm around our veterans and tell them how proud we are of what they did and make sure we separate whatever anger people feel about the political decisions taken this year, both in London and Washington and everywhere else, from our deep enduring pride and gratitude for those who served in Afghanistan.”