Our Armed Forces veterans deserve peace. We have a duty to help them find it
James Needham, CEO
| Help for Heroes
Every day, five people leave the Armed Forces due to illness or injury − left to face an often-uncertain future. We have a moral responsibility to ensure every veteran lives well after service
In these uncertain times, it makes sense that there is broad political appetite for the UK to increase its spending on security − with Labour committing to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence as soon as possible.
There was much talk during the general election regarding recruitment and intake into the Armed Forces − but we have a moral obligation to ensure we do not overlook the ongoing battles faced by those who have already served. For too many veterans, the transition from military service to civilian life feels far from the peace they fought to protect.
Veterans like Vicki Ross, who prided herself on being one of the fittest female soldiers in the British Army. But her world was turned upside down when mental and physical health problems brought her military career to a shuddering halt. Now, she battles with chronic pain, PTSD and panic attacks − a far cry from the life she once knew.
“I was isolated with no support”, Vicki told us. “I didn’t get any kind of goodbye… After giving 22 years to the Army, I was left feeling like I was just a number.”
Isolated, but not alone. Vicki is one of nearly 40,000 men and women medically discharged from the Armed Forces due to injury or illness over the last 20 years. This number continues to rise, with five individuals being medically discharged every day1.
The medical discharge process is meant to bridge military service and civilian life. But the system is inconsistent and the support inadequate, leaving many veterans without the physical or mental help they need at a critical time. Almost 70 per cent of medically discharged veterans we have supported told us they had a bad experience transitioning to civilian life2.
This is an urgent situation that demands immediate action − and the next step is clear. It is the government’s moral duty to commission an independent, end-to-end review of the medical discharge process to identify and fix the gaps in support. This review should ensure that all service members leaving the Armed Forces receive the care and assistance they deserve.
At Help for Heroes, we hear stories like Vicki’s every day. These personal experiences drive us to dig deeper, gathering the evidence and data needed to fully understand the challenges veterans face. Through this understanding, we’re able to help find the right solutions that truly make a difference.
Strong public support for better veteran care is clear. The success of our Veterans’ Pledge during the general election, and our campaign to improve mental health support for veterans, which more than 130,000 people signed, are testament to this. The public understands that veterans are valued members of our communities who deserve peace after their service.
Focusing on our nation’s security is crucial, but so is properly caring for those men and women who have served. Ensuring veterans find peace after service is not just a goal but a responsibility we must fulfil - without delay and with unwavering commitment.
To find out more about Help for Heroes’ work, visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk/our-impact/action-for-change/.
References
1. Based on official statistics from the MoD’s Annual Medical Discharges in the UK Regular Armed Forces report, published 18 July 2024
2. Results of survey by Help for Heroes conducted between 19 and 30 August 2019 using a sample of 403 Veterans who have been medically discharged from the British Armed Forces and are supported by Help for Heroes
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