Fears Afghanistan events brings trauma to Yorkshire Coast veterans
Help for Heroes says 70% of them nationally struggling on a daily basis
It is feared recent events in Afghanistan are taking their toll on veterans on the Yorkshire Coast, bringing up past traumas.
Armed Forces Charity Help for Heroes says, nationally, over 70% are struggling on a daily basis.
Over 80% have difficulty sleeping every single day.
Colin Preece is our local Psychological Wellbeing Manager and said:
"These stories, these images, the trauma that people have experienced is highly likely to trigger reactions in veterans who've served there, but also veterans who've been based in previous service in other locations.
"The increase in numbers is placing a lot of pressure on the NHS in the area, and causing distress for the veterans and their families and that's why we're here to support them.
"At the worst end, it means people feeling unable to go forward and taking their own lives. At it's worst level, it is completely devastating for the veterans and their family.
"A lot of the veterans will, in many ways, have tried to forget these memories, almost lock them in a box.
"Seeing these images is almost like opening the box and their recollections, their experiences from the past vividly come jumping forwards right into the centre of the mind and become all consuming for them."
You can find support here.