Australia: Increased number of PTSD veterans in prison

Concern post-traumatic stress leading to an increase in number of veterans in prison
ABC Australia
By Alex Mann
Updated about an hour ago

There are concerns post-traumatic stress among Australia's veterans is leading to an increase in the number of returned service people in prison.

One veterans' support group believes there could be as many 500 veterans in prisons across Australia.

But those figures are uncertain, as there is no agency keeping track of what happens to soldiers when they return home from war.

Beau King, 31, is a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and was first on the scene when his friend Michael Lyddiard stepped on a mine.

"That was probably the biggest one for me," Mr King told the ABC's 7.30 program.

"That was literally the day that for me, [I thought] enough was enough.

"I couldn't physically take any more. I just ... that was it."

He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on his return to Australia, but did not seek any help.

Instead, he quit the army, returned to civilian life and his life spiralled out of control.
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