The Forgotten Fallen?

For a list of useful charities and organisations dealing with soldiers' mental health issues, see this article.

Veterans already undergoing treatment for mental health issues who are due to leave the forces, receive mental health treatment from the military for six months before being handed over to the NHS, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The Department of Health says the health of veterans is a "priority" for the government.

In a statement, it said:

Mary Fells, the mother of Private Ashley Clarkson, describes the day her son died.

23-year-old Iraq vet Ashley Clarkson committed suicide last month.

His mother, Mary Fells, says more should have been done to help him when he was serving and when he was discharged.

• Combat Stress looks after men and women who are suffering from a psychological condition related to their career
• Big White Wall is a peer support network that allows people to be open about what's on their mind

• Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association gives help and assistance to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the armed forces

The Royal British Legion and Healing The Wounds also give help and advice to serving and former personnel.

Latest figures show 20 per cent of serving members of the US military have been diagnosed with or report symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

• Male veterans are twice as likely to die by suicide as male non-veterans
• On average 18 veterans commit suicide each day
• It means that every 80 minutes a veteran dies by suicide
• Roughly a third of US soldiers who took their own lives had never been deployed abroad

(Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)

The US Government says it takes the welfare of former soldiers seriously. But the Department of Veteran Affairs says it's not always easy finding those who need help.