Help me, Mum
artist was recognised when he was awarded an Armed Forces Art Society prize for a painting of Colonel Tootal.
On the day that Kirk took his life Denise had visited his home in Buckhurst Hill, Essex to check on his well-being.
She said: “I got him to answer the door and he looked very tired.
“He went back to bed and said, ‘No one can help me, Mum. There isn’t anything anyone one can do.’
Tragedies
“My husband went round later that day. But we couldn’t get any answer so we called the police and that’s when we discovered that he had taken his own life.”
Denise added: “I honestly believe what happened was completely avoidable.
“The Government need to realise that a lot of veterans need help when they leave the Army, especially those with mental problems.” Kirk’s 56- year- old bricklayer dad, also called Kirk, irk, said: “Something ng needs to change otherwise tragedies like ike this will continue.” ”
The NHS HS trust responsible e for Kirk’s welfare e are investigating ng his death.
Essex Partnership University s i t y NHS Foundation on Trust said: “We extend nd our deepest sympathies es to everyone affected. We are unable to comment further until our investigation on is completed.”
Without a thorough investigation it is difficult to know the exact circumstances that led to Kirk’s suicide, whether it was PTSD or some other form of depression.
But one thing we do know, is that as a society we have a responsibility to do more to help veterans like Kirk, and their families.
Whether it is through charities like Combat Stress and PTSD Resolution, through NHS mental health services, or through a specific veteran’s service, more must be done to stop people like Kirk slipping through the cracks.
Depression can be treated, provided veterans get the right help at the right time.
That’s where the Government must take action.
Veterans’ minister, Tobias Ellwood, himself an ex-soldier, must continue to champion the cause of veterans and ensure that service charities, the NHS and the MoD all fully understand these problems and are working together to overcome them.
We’ve asked people to show courage on the battlefield and put their bodies on the line in training.
The very least the Government can do is help them and their families when they leave.