I have joined calls to release figures of the number of veterans who take their own lives.
These calls have been made by a number of high-profile individuals to examine the situation including human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar and the former head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Lord West who said it would “make absolute sense” to collect the data.
A recent investigation found that numbers for former service personnel taking their own lives are available to both the Scottish and Westminster Governments but are withheld from scrutiny by the general public.
I have raised a motion in the Scottish Parliament on the issue and have also written to the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans to raise my concerns.
There would appear to be a systematic lack of concern and lack of respect for veterans who are suffering with mental health following their return from conflicts.
The number of UK veterans who take their own lives is being overlooked by both the Scottish and Westminster Governments by not releasing this information.
I am joining in calls for the Scottish and Westminster Governments to carry out an immediate review and release annual figures on veterans’ suicide rates. It seems disgraceful that these figures are kept from public scrutiny, especially given the fact that releasing them could help better serve veterans in need of support.
It is not right that veterans who have served our country are left behind on return, with many ending up homeless or jobless or lacking some of the desperately needed support they require. These are people who have put their lives on the line for the sake of our country. Surely they deserve better treatment than this?
Scottish Parliament Motion Below:
