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PTSD

More British soldiers killed themselves than died in Afghanistan last year

A total of 50 serving and veteran British soldiers died by suicide last year, more than the 40 who died in combat in Afghanistan.

A TOTAL OF 50 serving and veteran British soldiers died by suicide last year, more than were killed fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, according to figures reported today.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that seven serving soldiers killed themselves in 2012 and a further 14 died in suspected suicides, although inquests have not yet been held.

An investigation by the BBC found that at least 29 veterans also took their lives last year. There are no official figures.

A total of 40 British soldiers died in action in Afghanistan in the same period, while serving as part of a decade-long British deployment that reached 9,500 troops at its peak.

Relatives of those who killed themselves told the BBC the military should do more to tackle post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treat it like a physical injury.

One soldier who committed suicide, Dan Collins, had twice survived being shot in Helmand, was blown off his feet by a roadside bomb and then witnessed a close friend killed in front of him.

He was diagnosed with PTSD and given treatment, but after 10 months the army said he had recovered. He was later released back home and on New Year’s Eve 2011, he hanged himself.

“You’ve got units for soldiers that are severely injured and they’re treated. You should have a unit for treating soldiers with PTSD,” said his mother Deana Collins.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “Every suicide is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with the families of all those who have sadly taken their own lives.

“Mental health of our personnel and veterans is a top priority for the government, that is why we have committed £7.4 million (€8.5 million) to ensure there is extensive mental health support in place for everyone who needs it.”

- © AFP, 2013

Here are some numbers if you need to speak with someone:

  • Samaritans 1850 60 90 900 or email jo@samaritans.org
  • Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634
  • Console 1800 201 890
  • Aware 1890 303 302
  • Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie
  • Childline 1800 66 66 66

Read: Official figures suggest slight fall in number of suicides in 2012

Read: Over 2,700 people sought help from Pieta House last year

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