High suicide rates of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to be probed

Suicide rates among veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are to be studied by the Ministry of Defence.

Cases where former servicemen and women have taken their own lives will be a focus for the research into the causes of death among those who leave the armed forces.

The study will take place amid concerns that the rate of mental health problems among troops and veterans has surged in the last decade.

It was reported that more than 40 former or current servicemen and women are believed to have taken their lives so far this year.

Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood said the “vital” study will further the MoD’s understanding of the “wellbeing of our people so we can continue to provide the best possible care to all who have served”.

“Our armed forces do a magnificent job, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to each man and woman who has laid their life on the line to keep our country safe,” Mr Ellwood said.

“Most transition successfully into civilian life once they have put away their uniforms, but we cannot afford to be complacent.”

In July the House of Commons Defence Committee published its latest report on the scale of mental health issues in the armed forces.

It warned the number of armed forces personnel and veterans seeking mental health care has nearly doubled over the past decade, with particularly high levels among those who saw combat in Afghanistan or Iraq.

The MPs said it was still taking “too long” for veterans to access treatment.

Official Ministry of Defence figures showed that 3.1% of serving personnel were diagnosed with mental health conditions, twice the number seen in 2008-09.

But the committee warned that the number of veterans with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression could be three times higher, at about 10%, amid concern that some may not seek help because of stigma surrounding mental health.