News
HRH launches a campaign to help ex-servicemen and women traumatised by war
11th March 2010
The Prince of Wales launched a campaign to help care for ex-servicemen and women traumatised by their war experiences at St James’s Palace today.
Combat Stress, of which The Prince is Patron, which cares for ex-servicemen and women with psychological problems, is hoping to raise £30million to enhance its services and launch community outreach teams across the country.
James Saunders, 40, who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has received counselling and help from the charity, joined the Prince of Wales at the appeal's launch at St James' Palace in London.
The former Lance Bombardier originally from Chelmsford but now living in Portsmouth said: "For me Combat Stress has changed my life and given me the opportunity to understand my condition and what was going on in my life.
"We need the generosity of people to help fund this new appeal to enable people like myself to get help."
The organisation, which celebrated its 90th anniversary last year, will also use the The Enemy Within appeal to raise awareness of the plight of veterans suffering from psychological injuries and encourage them to seek help sooner.
The charity's spokeswoman said: "Already we have seen over 400 referrals from Iraq and Afghanistan and we predict that these initial cases are just the tip of the iceberg, as on average veterans wait more than 14 years before seeking our help."
Also at the appeal launch was Veterans Minister Kevan Jones and Victoria Cross winner Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry.
In a speech The Prince said: "The tragic loss of life in Afghanistan is well known and we are all aware of the terrible, life-changing physical injuries which many of our troops suffer from.
"What we know much less about are the psychological injuries which afflict our servicemen and women and that is why we are here today.
"The scale of the problem is considerable. At Combat Stress we have seen a 66 per cent increase in veterans seeking help over the last four years."
Mr Saunders, who is working for British Gas but is hoping to become a photographer, added: "During the Gulf War I was involved in a friendly fire incident, saw body parts lying charred on the ground, burning oil field - all of these things didn't play on my mind at the time.
"It's afterwards, on reflection, that the problems began. For me personally my trigger was the loss of my son at birth when I got back from the Gulf War."
Mr Saunders developed PTSD experiencing depression, flashbacks and began acting aggressively and abused drink and drugs before finally ending up in prison.
Fourteen years passed from when he first experienced problems to when he finally sought help from the charity in 2004 after he was put in touch with the organisation by a friend who had also sought its help.
He added: "Drink and drugs took over my life but it wasn't until I went to prison I was able to take a step back and look at my situation.
"I would urge anyone with problems to come forward or their family, who also have to live with the issue."
Visit the Combat Stress website