I read the quote below from Elinor Burnham -she has been lobbying unsuccessfully to Edwina Hart to get some provision for servicemen and women returning to Wales who are suffering from Combat Related Post traumatic Stress Syndrome
"servicemen and women, emergency service workers and others who have been exposed to exceptionally catastrophic events can go on to develop PTSD. Too many are not getting the treatment they need and urgent action must be taken.
“Growing numbers of PTSD sufferers are being abandoned in Wales and the best practice being employed in countries such as the Netherlands is being disregarded.
I dug a little further and found that no data is collected centrally by WAG to determine the number of mental health trauma specialists who are qualified to assist CR- PTSD sufferers.And there are no figures to indicate how big the problem is in Wales from a health or social need perspective.
There is however next to nothing to support these service people, Mrs Hart has refused to support organisations like Pathways in Bangor who were trying to stem the flood of suffers and their families. mental trauma is not as easy to see as physical,but can cause as much suffering.
Approximately 10% of the prison population are ex-service personnel. 2,000 are estimated to have PTSD. 12% of the homeless population are veterans. Over Christmas Pathways took in clients, who otherwise would have taken their own lives that: "With no disrespect to NHS Mental Health professionals, it is likely that the first time they encounter an ex-serviceman with CR- PTSD will be their first appreciation of a complex psychological condition that correlates poorly with the usual spectrum of “civilian” mental health disorders."
Dr. Steven Hughes, Regimental Medical Officer 2 PARA, Battles of Goose Green and Wireless Ridge, Falkland Islands, " If conventional Mental Health Services were so comprehensive there would not be such a high veteran rate of suicide, high prison population, and large number of veterans sleeping rough. " Complex Military PTSD is by definition not within the routine practice of NHS Mental Health Services"
The consequences are not always seen , the soldiers suffer horrendous flash backs, cannot sleep get personality disorders etc, that impacts on the their relationships with partners ,family and friends and there is no where other than some voluntary help that they can go to.
Why isn't this being sorted ?
