We can’t ignore trauma suffered by our soldiers

The Mail on Sunday is right to start a campaign, backed by Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army, to improve the provision of mental healthcare for serving soldiers.

It would involve a 24/7 helpline for traumatised troops being set up and manned by mental healthcare experts.

It’s my belief that the Government does not do enough for our soldiers as they withdraw from war-torn countries.

The effect of recent wars on them is shown by the tide of suicides we are witnessing. We need to look after them; after all, they risk their lives to protect us. I have no doubt that many of these troops suffer in silence at the moment.

They are expected to be tough but they are not superheroes. And it’s often those who don’t talk about their depression who have the worst feelings of wanting to disappear.

V. de Bheal, London

Lord Dannatt is right. No military personnel should be left to suffer in silence. Our soldiers are often putting their lives on the line for their country. There should be a system in place to help people with problems.

Nick Fletcher, Malton, North Yorkshire

When I was in the Forces, it seemed to me that for many of the soldiers who joined up it was ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’. I was in the Royal Navy Medical Corps and would treat shell-shocked soldiers who had been repatriated from Korea. Some had had their limbs blown off by landmines.

I would ask them why they joined up. The main reason was there had been some discomfort in their home life.

George Donohoe, Luton

I couldn’t help but compare your report on Cambridge students demanding less stressful exam venues with Lord Dannatt’s article regarding mental health treatment for our troops.

The level of stress encountered by soldiers would be inconceivable to the current snowflake generation, yet the Ministry of Defence is ignoring their predicament. What an indictment on today’s priorities.

George Kelly, Burgh le Marsh, Lincolnshire

I don’t have much faith in those running the MoD, what with the suggested change of the Army slogan from Be The Best. Whoever thought this would result in more recruits is very much mistaken. Instead our soldiers would be laughed at by other countries.

Mary Wiedman, Hemel Hempstead