More than 6’000+ armed forces veterans in the UK are homeless or are suffering mental health problems, a study has disclosed. The scale of their struggle to adjust to civilian life brought accusations that ministers were failing men and women who had risked their lives for their country. According to the analysis, some 5’000 are coping with mental health conditions, 1 in 10 are in prison, on parole or on probation and 6 in 10 have no permanent address. Figures through parliamentary questions, academic research and military charities, said the actual figures were likely to be far higher. Ministers have disclosed that more than 25,000 veterans received mental health treatment in 2016-17, but the Mental Health Foundation says only half ask for help, implying there are 50,000 former military personnel with mental health issues. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said 3 per cent of people admitted to prison have a services background, which suggests that around 9,600 are in the criminal justice system at any one time. Ms Saville Roberts added: “These veterans were willing to put their lives on the line for their country. That country must take responsibility for their welfare on return.”
A government spokeswoman said: “We are committed to supporting those who struggle.”
She said the MoD last year introduced a 24-hour helpline for former service personnel who need help with health, housing and money problems. The Government was spending £1.2bn over the next two years on tackling homelessness, while veterans were given high priority access to social housing. The British Legion has estimated that there are currently about 6,000 homeless veterans in the UK. There is quite a significant body of research about homelessness as experienced by veterans of the UK Armed Forces. If this is the case, why are we still hearing reports through the media about veterans still dying on our streets. There is reported that 22 veterans a week are committing su***de, it is disgusting that our service men and woman are being treated this way, after all they have sacrificed for us and their country.
