BRITAIN is sitting on a "time bomb" of future severe mental health problems among servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, former SAS soldier Andy McNab warned yesterday.
The writer said the idea that service personnel who leave the armed forces have a smooth transition into civilian life was "delusional and largely false".
McNab predicted that without improved care many of those fighting in the "war on terror" wou
ld go on to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – and in some cases even take their own lives. But the Ministry of Defence said that systems were in place to help those with PTSD, with counselling also available.
A new survey commissioned by McNab, author of the best-selling book Bravo Two Zero about his experiences in the 1991 Gulf War, found two-thirds of people think the government's treatment of ex-servicemen and women is "disgraceful".
The poll of more than 3,000 adults found that three-quarters believe care for veterans' psychological condition is "inadequate". And 49 per cent said they would pay an extra penny in the pound of income tax to help returning service personnel with financial troubles.
McNab's new book, Seven Troop, looks at what happened to the men he served with in the SAS until 1993. Two of the members of his unit have since killed themselves and a third is in prison after shooting dead his girlfriend.
McNab said NHS provision was "totally inadequate" for dealing with the estimated 15 per cent of veterans who will suffer some form of PTSD. "Since I left the forces some 15 years ago, the situation for ex-service personnel simply hasn't improved," he said. "I've seen for myself the appalling way that our soldiers are hung out to dry."
McNab said the military were doing their bit to help service personnel when they leave, but they were restricted by funds.
"The system says once they (service personnel] leave, they are within the NHS system. There is this time bomb and the NHS won't be able to cope with it," he added.
The survey also revealed that three-quarters of people thought the UK should celebrate the return of troops from deployments with public parades like those seen in the US.
Shadow defence secretary Dr Liam Fox said the way veterans were honoured in the US was a "stark contrast to the shabby treatment all too often dished out in Britain".
The MoD said: "The vast majority of service leavers make a smooth transition to civilian life, with 94 per cent using their skills and experience to find full employment within six months. We recognise, though, that some do experience difficulties and we work closely with service charities to support veterans.
"Robust systems are in place to treat and prevent post-traumatic stress disorder. Counselling is available and troops receive pre and post-deployment briefings to help recognise the signs of stress disorders."
'The government doesn't do enough to help'SCOTT Munro, 37, from Elgin, spent five years serving in the Queen's Own Highlanders.
He was involved in an IRA ambush in Belfast and went on to serve in the first Gulf War before leaving in 1992.
He initially settled back into civilian life, but went on to show symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
Mr Munro was prescribed antidepressants but within a year he had lost his job and his fiancée. In 1999, he was rescued from his car after being discovered overdosed and unconscious.
He has since received help from the Combat Stress charity and is working as a postman.
"The way I see things, I've lost 12 years of my life but I'm now getting back on track," he said.
Mr Munro added: "I still don't think that the government does enough to help returning servicemen and women."
The full article contains 645 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
