Funding to support veterans praised
A £10million boost for veterans struggling with the affects of service has been hailed.
Councillor Andy Doig led calls for more cash for those returning from the front line with mental health problems.
He urged ministers to support vital charities and services treating post-traumatic stress disorder during the centenary commemorations for the end of World War I.
Councillor Doig welcomed the investment after Westminster backed his demands for former soldiers.
He said:“I wrote to the Secretary of State for Defence and asked him to increase funding for charities which work with veterans.
“Many of these men and women are suffering from mental health conditions such as PTSD.
“Veterans have a higher than normal suicide rate among men.
“There has recently been a very timely focus on how suicide remains one of the highest killers amongst the male population.
“This too is an area which requires resources and investment from social care agencies and the NHS.
“I welcome this recognition of the great difficulties they face in adjusting back into civilian life.
“To help them with this takes specialised resources, such as supported accommodation and speciallytrained staff. “Help does not come cheap. “I would like to have seen around £20million as this is for all of the UK, but at least half of that is a step in the right direction.”
Ex-servicemen will be eligible for check-up calls from support workers under new plans.
Outreach programmes will have funds increased for the promotion of mental fitness and rehoming.
Ministry of Defence chiefs will also be working with the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association to seek out veterans’bereaved relatives.
Councillor Doig, member for Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Howwood, insisted cash should go to rehab programmes run by charity Combat Stress.
Research published earlier this month revealed PTSD is more common among ex-forces personnel than the public for the first time.
King’s College London estimates 7.4 per cent of veterans now suffer from the condition – compared to four per cent among the general populace.
The figure is even higher for those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan – at nine per cent.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson backed the calls in his latest budget.
He said:“As we mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, it’s absolutely vital that we remain resolute in our support for those who have served our country so well.
“We must never forget the sacrifices they have made. That’s why we have stepped up our support, with a batch of new measures to help our former service personnel and their families.
“I am determined that the Ministry of Defence does all that we can to ensure those who struggle after serving their country are properly supported.“