Northern Ireland PTSD Beyond The Battlefild

NI charity helps more than 100 army veterans who tried to take their own lives
BBC News
October 16, 2016

A Northern Ireland charity is helping more than 100 army veterans who have tried to take their own lives, a BBC documentary has been told.

'Losing the Battle' will be broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday.

Aaron Nixon said he had to pay for a private post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessment at a Belfast clinic this month

It will examine issues including post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, and attempted suicide among army veterans. The programme hears claims that increasing numbers of veterans are facing difficulties accessing help to deal with mental health problems.

Brett Savage, 28, who celebrated his 19th birthday in Afghanistan, said: "I didn't expect my life to be like this now. Never. You know I can't sleep and stuff. Stupid things remind me of things."

Alexander Gore described the changes he has faced since a homecoming parade in Belfast for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said it was "definitely a proud moment in my life" but that after it "things just started to go downhill with the post traumatic stress really".

"Now it is never going to go away, it is always going to be there and everybody is going to need help sooner or later with it," he added.
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Beyond the Battlefield