Veterans mental health support vital
The Urgent Need for Increased Support
The results of a groundbreaking study focusing on the tragic suicides of military veterans are alarming. They demand immediate action, revealing that the UK's current mental health provisions for those who have served are woefully inadequate. The BBC has conducted in-depth interviews with researchers on the project and with families whose lives have been shattered by these losses, seeking to understand the critical issues.
The story of Kingsman Ben Riches is heartbreaking. Just 30 years old when he died by suicide, he'd clung to a lifelong ambition of joining the army. His parents, Carolyn and Kev Riches, recall how military posters filled his childhood bedroom. In 2006, at the tender age of 16, Ben achieved his goal and joined the army foundation college at Harrogate. He adored this life and went on to infantry training in Catterick.
Military service ran deep in the Riches family. Ben and his older brother Steve made history when they became the first pair of siblings in 6 decades to fight side by side in Iraq, serving in the same regiment and company. Sadly, it was after this tour that Ben's family began witnessing disturbing changes.
Display alarming behaviors
His drinking escalated, and he began to display alarming behaviors. One particularly chilling incident stands out for Ben's father. He awoke one night to find his son obsessively washing his hands in the bathroom, half-asleep and mumbling, "I've got to wash the blood off my hands, I've got to wash the blood off my hands." Carolyn Riches remembers Ben scalding his hands under the tap.
The situation grew progressively worse following a grueling tour of Afghanistan. "Iraq was a 'walk in the park' compared to Afghanistan," his father notes grimly. "We didn't get Ben back after Afghanistan," Carolyn adds with profound sadness.
Ben's behavior spiraled, and his concerned father approached senior officers at Catterick, begging for help. However, he was told nothing could be done unless Ben asked for intervention himself. This tragically common refrain – that soldiers would never seek help – was a significant barrier at the time.
Eventually, Ben was given a medical discharge from the army and struggled to find meaningful help from mental health services. In 2019, he tragically lost his life.
A Call for Change
The Riches family were not alone in their painful experience, sadly. They are among over 20 veteran families who poured their hearts into "One Is Too Many." This vital research project was conducted by Northumbria University's Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research. The study paints a bleak picture of veterans falling prey to suicide and is understood to be a first-of-its-kind investigation.
The resounding conclusion is undeniable: a complete overhaul of mental health support programs for veterans is desperately overdue. In-depth interviews with hundreds of families exposed severely lacking mental health services. They described resources as fragmented, under immense pressure, and fundamentally inconsistent. Further, there's a profound lack of understanding regarding the unique experiences and culture of military life.
The study wasn't designed to point fingers or assign blame, researchers emphasize. Its primary focus was on identifying the reasons why veterans continue to slip through the net. The goal is to form a protective 'safety blanket' that can shield those in need.
Communication between organizations and families
According to project leader Dr. Paul Watson, a major issue boils down to "a lack of communication between organizations." Worse still, he adds, "there's also a lack of communication between organizations and families." This means there's no cohesive system for guiding veterans through complex bureaucratic channels to ensure they continue getting the care they require. "The crux of it is, if we want to save lives, then families need to be involved," Dr. Watson insists.
The government has publicly acknowledged that it will carefully examine the university's findings. A spokesperson stated: "We also published a new five-year Suicide Prevention Strategy for England in 2023 which sets out over 130 actions, including for veterans, that will be taken to reduce the suicide rate in England."
The Riches family strongly believes another major flaw is the failure of medical professionals to see destructive behaviors, including increased drinking, as manifestations of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Carolyn Riches recalls her son's attempts to appear strong: "He could come across as being aggressive, but he wasn't being aggressive. He was trying to mask his vulnerability and our caregivers don't recognize that because they are not trained or educated in dealing with veterans." She's convinced that, "If people had listened to us when we were saying that we had these problems with Ben, then maybe, he might still be here."
Like Kingsman Ben Riches, Mark Rodhouse also entered the army at a young age. He was devoted to fitness, cycling with passion and enjoying his experiences snowboarding and skiing at competition level within the army environment. Mark was a doting father and grandfather. His wife, Sharon Rodhouse, remembers him as "lovely," a man who enjoyed spending time with people and always gave freely of himself.
Signs of severe anxiety
Tragically, after completing his second tour in Iraq, Mark began displaying signs of severe anxiety. "He wasn't well," Sharon recalls. "He'd found the sense of responsibility difficult." She hazily recalls him talking about another potential deployment to Iraq, "…and then he had a breakdown."
Following 18 years of service, in 2005, Sergeant Rodhouse received a medical discharge in part due to his worsening anxiety. According to Sharon, her husband could barely speak of it. "I think he was ashamed of the medical discharge," she observes. "It's the veteran's mindset of not wanting to be seen to be weak, to be letting the side down."
Sadly, in 2023, a full 18 years after leaving the military, Mark Rodhouse took his own life. He'd reached the age of 53. Despite having told mental health professionals of suicidal thoughts, he'd reassured them that he had no plan to act on them. Yet, he had clearly outlined how he could do it. Sharon reflects, "I think this is quite important actually with a veteran, when they plan to do something they're going to do it." While she acknowledges there's no guarantee her husband's death could've been prevented, she underscores, "there were so many missed opportunities. I have to live with that."
A Call for Understanding and Action
Sharon Rodhouse holds onto the hope that this research project will ultimately lead to a system that prevents further tragedies. "If the voices become loud enough, it can only work for good," she asserts. “It needs to be taken really seriously because the consequences are huge, for everybody."
The British Army has expressed condolences to the families and friends of Ben Riches. They claim to have significantly improved support mechanisms, stating that these changes "enable our people to recognize the signs of mental health distress in themselves and in others, and to encourage them to seek help earlier".
But do these changes match the experiences of veterans on the ground? The "One is Too Many" study reveals a concerning disconnect, with families still describing a sense of hopelessness when trying to navigate the existing systems. They feel isolated and exhausted from advocating for the support that veterans desperately need.
A veteran-focused mental health professional
A veteran-focused mental health professional who has been working in the field for many years, speaking anonymously, confirms that these stories are tragically common. They note that even with recent improvements, many veterans continue to distrust traditional services, believing they won't be understood. Furthermore, those discharged for medical reasons or on disciplinary terms often feel immense shame and a sense of abandonment, making it even harder to seek help.
Additionally, the military culture of independence and stoicism clashes with seeking mental health support. As the anonymous professional reveals, many veterans believe that asking for help is akin to admitting failure. This complex cultural issue needs to be addressed with compassion and sensitivity to encourage more veterans to utilize services when they need them most.
One solution, according to the study's researchers, is establishing clear communication channels between armed forces personnel, mental health professionals, and veteran support services. Crucially, families must be included in these communication channels. They are often the best advocates for their loved ones, able to spot the subtle changes that trained professionals might miss.
Increased training and better awareness
Families like the Riches, who have experienced this pain firsthand, tirelessly advocate for increased training and better awareness about PTSD and veterans' mental health among medical professionals outside the military system. They argue that, while some veterans respond well to traditional therapies, many have specialized needs stemming from their unique experiences.
"This isn't something you just get over," Carolyn Riches stresses. Her message emphasizes that PTSD can continue to affect veterans for many years – even decades – following their military service.
There is some promising movement on this front. Several specialized and peer-led organizations have sprung up across the UK in recent years. These organizations often employ people who have experienced the military system themselves. This gives them unique insights into the challenges veterans face and how to build trust.
"Veterans often feel they just can't talk to a civilian," explains a former Royal Marine working for one such organization. "It's like we speak a different language. Sometimes you just need someone who's been there, who gets it."
However, such organizations are often small and struggle with funding, meaning they can't meet the ever-growing demand for their services.
Practical Solutions and Funding Pressures
The "One Is Too Many" research study makes several compelling recommendations. Among those is a call for the creation of dedicated veteran mental health hubs within the NHS, offering specialized assessment and treatment. They emphasize that these hubs should be staffed by therapists and clinicians trained in military culture and with experience in PTSD, anxiety, alcohol dependence, and other issues prevalent among veterans.
Another critical piece of the puzzle is improving access to immediate support. Veterans describe how their needs can become extremely urgent, particularly in moments of crisis. Therefore, the researchers suggest a 24/7 veterans' crisis support line, where they can access trained personnel who are familiar with their experiences and can offer help in a compassionate and informed way.
Furthermore, the study advocates for better awareness campaigns designed to break down the stigma so often associated with mental health conditions, which is especially strong within military communities. They recommend outreach programs hosted at veterans' social events and utilizing platforms where they're already likely to gather, both online and offline.
While there's an overwhelming consensus that these proposals have merit, a significant hurdle remains: funding. Many dedicated veterans' mental health programs receive insufficient funds, placing them under immense pressure. They operate on limited budgets, often relying on donations and stretched staff who work tirelessly due to a deep commitment to the cause.
Dr. Paul Watson, the project head for "One is Too Many," argues that while there's been an increase in public recognition of veterans' mental health struggles, this hasn't consistently translated into concrete, on-the-ground improvements. He feels that government funding commitments must match the scope of the problem.
Positive change has occurred
Some positive change has occurred, though often fragmented in its implementation. One veteran who received treatment for addiction and PTSD describes a shift in attitude during his time in service. "They used to look at you like you were a liability. Now they try to understand," he remarks. This reflects a move towards a more supportive environment within the military itself, though the study finds inconsistencies across different branches and regions.
This uneven playing field adds to the difficulties faced by veterans as they transition back to civilian life. It points to the need for a national, standardized structure for veteran mental healthcare.
Another practical change endorsed by the study is the integration of veterans' care records with the NHS to ensure a seamless transfer of information. This would help eliminate delays and allow civilian doctors to have a comprehensive understanding of a veteran's mental and medical history. Currently, many veterans face lengthy waits to access treatment, with their complex needs often overlooked or misunderstood.
Hope on the Horizon
While the stories brought to light by this landmark study are heartbreaking, they also bring a sense of hope. The voices of veterans and their families are finally being amplified, drawing much-needed attention to an urgent issue. The families who courageously shared their experiences do so with unwavering determination to prevent future tragedies, driven by their profound love and profound loss.
Sharon Rodhouse, despite the immeasurable grief she continues to endure, speaks with quiet strength: "There needs to be more proactive work, not just waiting for veterans to reach breaking point." Her words highlight the need for systems that can identify and support veterans before they are pushed to the edge.
"One Is Too Many", the title of the study, acts as both a chilling reminder and a rallying cry. While every loss is a devastating blow, these families are working to ensure that change is not only possible, but inevitable.
There's also hope in the recognition of the complex factors contributing to veteran suicides. While PTSD features as a main concern, the study also illuminates a range of contributing factors. Among these are problems with debt management, difficulty with transitions, strained family relationships, and issues with securing stable employment upon leaving service. Recognizing these issues is crucial to supporting veterans holistically and helping them to rebuild fulfilling lives.
Veterans charities have pioneered successful programs
Some veterans' charities have pioneered successful programs working on these diverse areas of need. These include housing support, debt counseling, job skills courses, and assistance with navigating the often bewildering benefits system. Such services are vital, as they work to dismantle the practical problems that can exacerbate underlying mental health issues, giving veterans breathing room and stability as they build a new path.
Crucially, organizations such as Combat Stress, Walking With The Wounded, and Help for Heroes play a vital role in fostering community among veterans. These shared spaces decrease feelings of isolation and provide a sense of camaraderie that they may long for after leaving the service. However, increased public awareness of these services is essential to ensure that veterans know where and how to access them.
Struggling with suicidal thoughts
For those struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Organizations like SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, offer a 24-hour support line staffed by trained professionals who are familiar with military life. They are ready to listen and provide support during times of crisis.
The "One Is Too Many" study, alongside the advocacy of bereaved families and dedicated mental health professionals, holds the potential to create true change. If the government, the NHS, and the UK population at large commit to the proposals outlined in this study, veterans' mental health support can become something that saves lives, rather than something that arrives too late for those who desperately need it.
Long road ahead
There's a long road ahead, but the conversation is finally happening with honesty and openness. With unwavering determination, the goal is to ensure that these lost lives are not in vain, and to transform a system currently failing those who have served their country into one that offers support and hope.
If you are a veteran, or the loved one of a veteran, and are in need of mental health support, here are resources that can help:
SSAFA - The Armed Forces Charity: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/ – Offers a 24-hour support line and a range of mental health and well-being services.
Combat Stress: https://combatstress.org.uk/contact-us – Dedicated to the mental health of veterans, offering specialized treatment programs.
Help For Heroes: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ – Provides multifaceted support including recovery centers and advice on accessing mental health services.
