Time For Action

The MOD has now said that a study announced in October into deaths among veterans who served between 2001 and 2014 is to be expanded to include more recent service leavers. It will be updated on an ongoing basis to provide near-real time monitoring of suicides. A further study into ex-service personnel who take their own lives will look at risk factors in the year leading up to a suicide.

In addition, the 2021 census will collect data on service history for the first time to build a clear picture of the UK’S veteran population Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt told Jpimedia that the data collected will be critical in supporting veterans. “Every suicide is a tragedy and the loss of a veteran is always felt throughout the entire armed forces community, as well as with the families and friends who are left behind,” she said. “It’s vital we work across Government to better understand the number of ex-service personnel who take their lives, as well as the causes.” But Shadow Defence Secretary Nia Griffith called for coroners to do more to record instances of veteran suicides.

She said: “The Government must act urgently to legislate for this now so that we can better support those who have given so much in the service of our country.”

Other actions unveiled by the MOD to support at-risk veterans include:

n Plans to ask service personnel transitioning into civilian life for permission to contact them in future and signpost them towards support, if required.

n Better monitoring of veterans accessing Universal Credit.

n The appointment of the first Armed Forces Mental Health and Wellbeing Champion, Warrant Office Glenn Haughton OBE, who served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.