UK: Iraq veterans are denied help for combat trauma

Iraq veterans are denied help for combat trauma


Mark Townsend, defence correspondent
Sunday February 3, 2008
The Observer


Hundreds of veterans, including many who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, are being denied vital help by the government to cope with the psychological fallout of war.
Despite ministerial pledges to improve support for British soldiers suffering mental health problems, veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are still not receiving funding for specialist medical treatment.

Combat Stress, a charity that assists veterans with mental health issues, is dealing with a 27 per cent increase in GP referrals of veterans - 1,200 new cases a year. More than half of those reporting psychotic nightmares, depression and suicidal thoughts have not been granted a war pension and are, therefore, not eligible for specialist psychiatric help.
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http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2251615,00.html

When will they understand this wound gets worse without being treated? How can they be so willing to lose time and allow the wound to cut deeper?