Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Mental Health of Veterans Leading to Offending

Last night Channel 4 News showed a very disturbing item regarding the increasingly large number of US Army veterans who are suffering with mental illness, post their operational experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. The piece highlighted how these issues are often leading to family breakup, alcohol abuse and crime. The cost of helping these men and women is growing by the week.

Whilst the UK numbers are clearly fewer, they are growing, with charities like Combat Stress being stretched to keep up with demand. More resources are undoubtedly required to help veterans and their familes overcome the trauma of war. Failue to do so will result in increasing costs to the Justice System, Health and Social Services.

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