Syria action must be matched with mental health funding for veterans, charity warns

Military action in Syria must be matched with urgent additional funding to support veterans suffering with mental health problems, a charity has said.

Combat Stress said it is struggling to cope with an unprecedented increase in demand from ex servicemen and women needing needing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.

As RAF air strikes are launched in Syria, Combat Stress has warned that it might not be able to afford to support veterans in the future.

The charity is taking a seven-figure sum from its reserves to keep its services running, including three rehabilitation centres.

It is currently treating the highest number of patients since its launch in 1918, many of them veterans who served in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Combat Stress said 20% of servicemen and women suffer with mental health problems and 4% are diagnosed with PTSD.

• Read: Former RAF medic draws on her battle with post-traumatic stress disorder to help others