‘Hundreds of troops keep PTSD secret fearing axe’
Sean Jones HUNDREDS of UK soldiers could be suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in silence amid fears their careers will be over if they seek help, experts warn.
A clinical psychiatric nurse in the forces said he believed every unit that has seen service in Afghanistan or Iraq will have PTSD victims in its ranks – and many are still in action on the front line.
Speaking anonymously, he said: “The biggest hurdle is getting soldiers to admit they need help. They know that they could be medically downgraded and then discharged.”
SCARED
He spoke out after Military Cross-winner Colour Sergeant Sean Jones, 30, revealed last week he was posted to Afghanistan despite a PTSD diagnosis.
Sean said: “There are a lot of people serving with PTSD who are too scared to either admit it to themselves or the chain of command. Since I spoke out I have been contacted by a lot of veterans who were in the same position.”
Billy Macleod of charity Veterans in Action said: “Sean Jones’s story is shocking and he is one of many who suffer in silence.
“Many veterans have contacted us to say they had the same experience and felt let down by their units and the MOD.”
The Ministry of Defence said: “Anyone who is suffering will get the support they deserve.”