A mental health charity set up to help veterans experiencing mental health problems says the number of ex-service personnel contacting them has increased markedly in the past 6 years.
Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity dealing with veterans mental health, is expecting a ‘tidal wave’ of cases as the psychological effects on soldiers who fought in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars becomes apparent. These problems can sometimes take years to manifest themselves in a way that can be recognized and treated. Many veterans avoid seeking help because of the social stigma associated with having a mental health problem, with some choosing instead to self medicate with alcohol.
Combat Stress aims to raise £30m to improve it’s services. Details on The Enemy Within campaign can be found on the Combat Stress website by following this link – http://www.combatstress.org.uk/enemywithinappeal
This story originally appeared in The Telegraph on 6/5/11. the story can be viewed here – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/8371319/Combat-stress-four-veterans-a-day-reporting-problems.html
Claude Cookie has a personal interest in mental health issues, having experienced a considerable amount of psychological distress himself over a sustained period. He has collected several diagnoses during this period of involvement with psychiatric services, none of which he feels adequately describes his experience. His interests include music (which he both listens to and performs), reading, writing, walking, politics and spirituality. He currently volunteers on several mental health projects and would encourage other service users to get involved with the services that they use, and help direct the way in which these services develop in the future. 
