‘Mental health impact on our troops is likely to be felt long after the withdrawal from Afghanistan’

Afghanistan veterans and their families are still facing challenges.

Of the 150,000 UK military deployed, 457 lost their lives alongside many more from Allied forces and the Afghan National-Defence and Security Forces. In addition, many more veterans continue to live with the impact of significant physical and psychological injury.

The impact of Afghanistan is likely to be felt for years to come. We continue to receive new referrals from veterans who face a variety of challenges relating to their experiences in Afghanistan.

Some in treatment have also been affected by Operation Pitting – the evacuation of Allied troops. Participating in or enforcing decisions that separated families and determined who would board the plane to safety leaves great potential to experience a morally injurious event.

During the two decades of conflict in Afghanistan, our deployed personnel, and their families and friends, made sacrifices. They do so assured their cause is morally

just, and good peoples’ lives will be protected. For some, the withdrawal of troops and return of the Taliban to power has left them feeling frustrated, angry and betrayed; questioning whether the loss of life and sacrifice was worth it.

We observed an increase in calls to our helpline and referrals to clinical and support services. The majority experience complex mental health difficulties.

Experiences consistent with post-traumatic stress are highly reported with 17.1% prevalence in UK veterans who had deployed in combat roles. PTSD is typically accompanied by one or more co-morbidities – most commonly depression, adjustment disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder.

On average, it takes 11 years for veterans to seek help. During this time, the impact of mental health problems and unhelpful methods of coping increase, making the recovery journey more complicated.

We’re encouraging veterans struggling with mental health, to call our 24-hour helpline 0800 138 1619 or visit our website combatstress.org.uk.

As a country, it’s vital everyone recognises the impact the situation in Afghanistan could still have on veterans across the UK long after the withdrawal of Allied troops.