Veterans’ PTSD symptoms in wake of Taliban takeover

CALLS to a veterans’ charity helpline have more than doubled during the UK’s withdrawal from Afghanistan – with former soldiers reporting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and feelings of disillusionment with the 20-year campaign.

Combat Stress, a charity for veterans’ mental health, said the number of calls had surged from around 200 a week to more than 400 in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover of the country.

Jeff Harrison, interim chief executive, also revealed that veterans from all conflicts, including Northern Ireland and the Falklands War, were coming forward distressed by the recent developments which have seen Nato forces withdraw from the nation.

He told Sky News on Monday: “We’ve seen a big increase in calls to our helpline. They had effectively doubled. What we’ve seen is veterans reporting symptoms of PTSD increasing. They’re frustrated, angry, upset, getting flashbacks, and finding it difficult to sleep.”

Armed forces minister James Heappey, a former Army officer who himself served in the country, said: “The Government, the nation, needs to put our arm around our veterans and tell them how proud we are of what they did.”