Charity: Sharp increase in Afghan veterans treated for PTSD

The number of British veterans of the Afghanistan conflict who have received treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder has increased dramatically over the last five years, figures from a mental health charity indicate.

Combat Stress told ITV News it treated 102 Afghan war veterans for PTSD in March 2010.

Five years later, in March 2015, that number had risen dramatically to 945.

Additional statistics on PTSD treatment from Combat Stress also show that on average veterans wait approximately 13 years before seeking treatment for the condition.

Combat Stress, a mental health charity for veterans, has said there is no time limit on treatment for people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In an interview on ITV's lunchtime news Simon Weston said there was a time limit for receiving help but the charity has clarified that this is not the case.

Falklands War veteran Simon Weston has told ITV News there needs to be "proper care after combat" to ensure returning troops "get taken care of".

Weston, who was aboard the Sir Galahad when it was destroyed during the Falklands War, said, "There is no peace dividend in reality because the cost is still there after combat."

He warned service personnel returning with post-traumatic stress disorder can turn to drink and to drugs, saying, "There is a real issue around that because then we see people falling foul of the law."

For more information call Weston's charity Care After Combat on 0300 343 0255 or visit their website.

The head of leading military charity Ssafa has exclusively told ITV News the battle is just beginning as they brace themselves for the return of Afghan veterans.

Chief executive David Murray warned the charity is expecting a surge in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder following the return of troops from Afghanistan.

"Afghanistan might be off the front pages, the troops may have come home from Afghanistan, but for some people Afghanistan will never leave them," Murray said.

For more information call Ssafa's helpline on 0800 7314880 or visit their website.