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Colonel questions Government approach to PTSD

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A soldier's story

Colonel questions govt approach to PTSD The former Commander of the first battle group sent to Helmand, Afghanistan in 2006 has questioned the Government's provision of support for returning soldiers displaying symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Colonel Stuart Tootal, who headed Three Para, told the Independent newspaper that he first encountered the condition when a member of his regiment, Corporal Tug Hartley, experienced PTSD following a particularly gruelling tour of Afghanistan.

Colonel Tootal said: "I initially shared a general scepticism about PTSD until I saw what happened to brave men like Tug and some other servicemen and women."

While Corporal Hartley eventually received the support he needed through veteran charity the Mark Wright Project, Colonel Tootal claims a lack of Government support means many veterans with PTSD are left to cope alone.

He tells the newspaper: "When left untreated, the classic symptoms [of PTSD] often develop into alcoholism, drug abuse, crime, homelessness and suicide.

"The fact that a high percentage of homeless people are ex-service personnel, and more veterans of the Falklands have committed suicide than were killed in the conflict, is indicative of the extent of the problem of PTSD that is still not grasped fully by the state."

He adds that the continued conflict in Afghanistan could result in a large increase in the number of ex-servicemen experiencing emotional and mental health conditions as a result of their time in the Armed Forces.

What causes PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is defined by NHS Choices "a psychological and physical condition that can be caused by extremely frightening or distressing events".

The organisation lists some common causes of PTSD as military combat, natural disasters, traumatic accidents, terrorist attacks, assault, rape and other situations in which an individual is left feeling powerless and in an extreme state of fear.

NHS Choices further states that frequently-occurring symptoms of the condition include nightmares in which the person relives the scenario, problems with sleep and concentration, feelings of emotional isolation and a sense of detachment from ordinary day-to-day life.

The website adds: "Symptoms usually develop immediately or within three months of a traumatic event, although occasionally they do not begin until years later."

The Independent states that during the First World War PTSD among former servicemen was often referred to as 'shell shock'. It adds that soldiers developing the condition often do so following the experience of open combat, taking part in operations in highly dangerous areas or being involved in particularly distressing peace-keeping missions.

How common is suicide among veterans?

A factsheet entitled PTSD and Suicide, produced by Doctor William Hudenko and published on the US National Centre for PTSD website, lists some common factors which are thought to contribute to a higher suicide risk among veterans with the condition.

According to Dr Hudenko these include: male gender, a history of alcohol abuse, a family history of suicide, a disadvantaged background and the presence of pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions.

A recent study by researchers at the Centre for Suicide Prevention at the University of Manchester published in March 2009, entitled Suicide after Leaving the UK Armed Forces: A Cohort Study, also concluded that suicide rates are higher among certain categories of ex-servicemen.

The study aimed to quantify the link between military service and suicide by examining suicide rates amongst former army personnel between 1996 and 2005, which were then compared with those of the general population.

During the course of the study period, 224 deaths by suicide amongst 233,803 ex-servicemen were recorded, leading to the conclusion that the overall suicide risk was no greater than for the general population.

However, in-depth analysis of the figures revealed ex-military professionals aged 24 years and younger were two to three times more likely to take their own lives than their non-serving counterparts.

The study further concluded that the risk of suicide is greater among veterans within their first two years of leaving the armed forces, while those serving in lower ranks were also cited as a higher risk category.

Who can provide support for PTSD sufferers?

Colonel Tootal states that currently the responsibility of care for ex-servicemen with symptoms of PTSD too often falls to charities rather than the Ministry of Defence (MoD) or the National Health Service.

He tells the Independent: "The burden has been carried by a number of charities such as the Mark Wright Project, or others like Resolution, Combat Stress or the Braveheart Programme.

"Each differs in their approach to providing private treatment, but their proliferation reflects a significant gap in MoD and NHS capability."

However, he adds that there have been improvements in care provision in recent times, citing a contract for military healthcare which was recently won by a partnership of NHS trusts as an example.

He adds that awareness among service personnel of the symptoms and possible effects of PTSD has also increased, while the Royal Marines are singled out for praise for their introduction of a peer-group mentoring system designed to help soldiers deal with the aftermath of traumatic events.

However, more still needs to be done, he tells the newspaper, stating: "Six years on from the invasion of Iraq, and over three years after the UK's entry into the unforgiving desert plains of Helmand, soldiers who have risked life and limb for this country deserve better."

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, you can call Samaritans for support 24 hours on 08457 90 90 90 (UK) and 1850 60 90 90 (ROI), or email at jo@samaritans.org, or face to face - visit http://www.samaritans.org/ for your nearest branch.