VETERANS AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

That this House recognises the psychological toll that conflict operations can have on members of the armed forces; notes that according to Combat Stress: the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society approximately 60 per cent. of British veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder; is concerned that in 2008 referrals relating to the condition were up eight per cent. on the previous year and up 66 per cent. on 2005 levels; applauds the work of organisations like Combat Stress who since 1919 have provided support to almost 100,000 veterans of every British armed forces campaign; and calls on the Government actively to address the issue of war trauma and look at further ways of assisting armed services veterans to make an integrated return to civilian society.