More veterans across the North East are struggling to cope with suicidal thoughts

Charities in the North East are telling us that more veterans are turning to them to get help fighting suicidal thoughts.

Veterans Response in South Shields tell us they've seen an increase in calls for help - it's thought 1 in 5 aren't getting the right treatment for conditions like PTSD.

It comes as surveys show 70 percent of vets say they feel unprepared for life outside the forces and two-fifths (40%) said they never really felt fully part of society.

Four in ten (40%) of veterans in the North East say they do not have enough money to make ends meet at the end of every month; One in five (20%) have problems with managing finances and debts and one in five (20%) do not get the treatment needed for mental health problems .

Debt is one of the main reasons for getting in touch with Forcesline, in addition to those contacting for help with having negative and suicidal thoughts. Due to changes and reassessments of those eligible for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), many veterans and their families who were already struggling to live on low incomes are now being cut to the bone.

Ian Driver from Veterans Response in South Shields said:

"Say they've been in the armed forces, they've been to the front line and they're having a two week break.

"Their family might take them to the Metrocentre or somewhere like that and it's like being in a highly toxic area - it's an area inundated with people.

"The numbers unfortunately will keep going up. We take calls at all hours of the night with people saying 'I've had enough, you've tried your best but I've had enough, I'm going to call it'."

Ian's charity are currently campaigning for coroners to officially recognise suicides by veterans as separate statistics.