Former Cambridgeshire soldier calls for better action on veterans' mental health
There's also been calls for more funding
A former soldier from Cambridgeshire believes the next Government must do more for veterans with mental health issues.
Jonny Pearce was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the armed forces for around 12 years.
Jonny, who served in The First Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment, left the forces in 2010 and has previously said it's not been easy to adapt to civilian life.
'Something will click and it brings it back'
"It goes back to early 2000s when I lost some good friends in conflicts, things like that you never forget," he said.
"I suppose at the time you think maybe you're forgetting about it, something will click and it brings it back to the forefront.
"There will be times when you think 'I don't want to talk about it, I'm not in the right space'.
"But if you're in a good space and think about what you've been through and the help you've needed, imagine someone probably at the lowest of the lows and they need all the help they can get."
'Funding issue'
Armed Forces and military veterans charity, Help for Heroes, has called on the next government to bring in an independent review into the medical discharge process when people leave the military due to illness or injury, as well as additional support after service.
The charity also wants to see more opportunity for veterans to receive financial support and compensation after they've left the forces.
Jonny believes more must be done to provide better mental health services to those in need.
"I think maintaining good mental health, you need good local mental health resources; it's a funding issue and if you get a six-month waiting list, that's probably one of the shorter waiting lists you'd get in this area," he added.
"People are asking for help, but the more people asking, the more services and spaces you need and I don't think they're getting funded aptly enough."
Voters go to the polls for the upcoming general election on Thursday, 4th July.