Save Our Soldiers

A FORMER head of the British Army has launched a blistering attack on the Government for failing mentally traumatised troops and veterans.

General Lord Dannatt also warned the armed forces needed to undergo a “complete culture change” towards PTSD and other mental illnesses.

His comments come as the Sunday People reveals that suicides among serving soldiers have been at the rate of one every three weeks for the past 20 years.

Ministry of Defence figures show 325 servicemen and women suffering took their lives between 1997 and 2016.

Many died on British bases and most were veterans of Ulster, Bosnia and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Furious

Inquests found many were being bullied, were sex abuse victims or suffering from PTSD and other mental illness.

Lord Dannatt is furious at the MoD’s refusal to pay £2million to establish a 24/7 helpline – a drop in the ocean compared to £89million for one Typhoon fighter jet.

He expresses his frustration in an article for the People, right. The highlyrespected militarian says: “Service personnel who need help outside working hours are advised to contact their nearest A&E or se the Combat Stress Helpline – unacceptable.

“I raised this with Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood. The MoD’s response was it would be £ 2million to establish a service that might be used by less than 50 people annually.

“I don’t accept t hat argument. Surely the lives of up to 50 people annually is worth spending £2million?”

Figures show the highest numbers of suicides or “open verdict” deaths involved male soldiers under the age of 20.