Iraq War Veterans' Mental Health Charity in New Cash Plea
Mon., July 17, 2006. 11:01.
Greens highlight appeal in light of Newcastle murders
Troops with mental health problems returning from Iraq and Afghanistan could be left without adequate care unless a charity's new fundraising appeal is successful, Green MSPs warned today. Combat Stress has launched a new campaign to raise £150,000 to help provide specialist therapies for psychologically wounded veterans. Greens are highlighting the appeal in the wake of the police questioning of a former soldier after the tragic murders of four members of the same family in Newcastle. (1)
The appeal follows campaigning by Greens less than two years ago when Combat Stress's Hollybush House in Ayrshire, the only residential centre in Scotland for soldiers suffering from combat trauma and stress, desperately needed £1 million to upgrade their facilities in order to meet new government regulations. (2) Following pressure in Parliament from Greens, First Minister Jack McConnell agreed to increase Executive funding for the centre.
Chris Ballance, Green speaker on peace and MSP for South Scotland, said, "The increase in demand for Combat Stress services proves that Blair's warmongering is really starting to take its toll on the servicemen and women. It's only right that they get the treatment and support they need and deserve when they return to the UK.
"It's not long since Hollybush House had to battle for more Executive cash so they could refurbish their centre to meet new government regulations. This latest plea makes it clear that the charity is constantly operating on the tightest of budgets, despite the rise in numbers seeking help following the Gulf, Bosnian, Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
"I'm sure Scots will give what they can - I hope Scottish and UK ministers also do the right thing and dig deep. It is morally untenable that we send troops to fight wars then deny them care and attention when they need it. The government can find billions of pounds to fight the Iraq war - let's hope the money needed to look after our veterans properly is made available."
Combat Stress provides long-term support for veterans with conditions such as severe clinical depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is currently a greater demand for the charity's services than there has been for decades, and this is likely to increase further given the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last year 939 veterans were referred to Combat Stress for specialist treatment, compared to 775 the year before (that's a 17% increase in one year).
Notes
1. Draft text of motion lodged in Parliament by Chris Ballance MSP:
That the Parliament praises the ongoing work of charity Combat Stress in helping ex-Servicemen and Women who suffer from mental ill health, including that of staff at Hollybush House in Ayrshire, the only residential centre in Scotland for soldiers suffering from combat trauma and stress; notes the charity's increased workload in recent years due to the Gulf, Bosnian, Afghanistan and Iraq wars; notes the questioning of a former soldier over the tragic recent murders of four members of the same family in Newcastle; notes Combat Stress's newly-launched campaign to raised £150,000 to continue providing specialist therapies for psychologically wounded veterans in coming months; and urges the Executive to do everything possible to support Hollybush House to ensure war veterans receive the treatment that they need and deserve.
http://www.combatstress.org.uk/
2. McConnell to re-examine Iraq veterans' charity funding
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.