Veteran Suicide Crisis: Forgotten Veterans UK Faces Surge in Emergency Calls
Volunteers at Forgotten Veterans UK (FVUK) are drowning under a tidal wave of crisis calls. Since December, they’ve dealt with nearly one suicidal veteran every day.
The sudden spike has sparked fresh fears of a veteran suicide epidemic. FVUK reports this is one of the worst surges they’ve ever seen.
Two Tragic Deaths Shake Portsmouth Military Community
Just before the New Year, two veterans linked to FVUK took their own lives within days of each other, leaving Portsmouth’s military community stunned.
One was a regular FVUK client, the other a former Portsmouth soldier. Gary Weaving, a former Royal Engineer and charity campaigner, who has personally battled suicidal thoughts after a crippling spinal injury, called the losses “heartbreaking”.
“We give everything we can and do everything we can. We will do what most people aren’t prepared to do. And when it’s not working, it breaks our heart,” Gary said.
“We had a week of being very down and glum and questioning ourselves. But we have now picked ourselves up and know we are making a difference. We dread to think how many suicides we have prevented.”
Volume of SOS Calls Skyrockets
Over the last year, Gary’s team supported 4,000 veterans from their Fort Cumberland base. But since December alone, they’ve had to intervene with 30 suicidal veterans.
“Our workload has gone through the roof and it is just getting busier and busier,” Gary revealed.
Speaking about one of the latest deaths, he added, “We lost one of our long-term clients three weeks ago. He’d recently left us a glowing testimonial about how we helped him beat cocaine addiction. Four days later he killed himself. I blame myself for this.”
Calls Grow for Government Action and Better Support
Campaigners in Portsmouth and across the UK have pushed Whitehall to do more, branding the veteran suicide crisis as the ‘epidemic of our time’ — a phrase coined by former head of the army, General Lord Richard Dannatt.
Last September, the government promised a new system to better track veteran suicides in England and Wales, alongside creating the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. But charity leaders say it’s not enough.
Gary is calling for a tailored veterans’ social services system to provide bespoke benefits, housing, and health support.
“The reality is it hasn’t been enough and the system is still failing us. The government have upped their game, the NHS and large charities have upped their game but it is still a very tricky world,” he said.
Politicians Urged to Do More
Labour’s ex-shadow armed forces minister Stephen Morgan slammed ministers for dithering over publishing a new veterans strategy. Describing the recent deaths as “terribly sad news,” he demanded urgent action:
“Veterans in Portsmouth and across the country need action now. They cannot continue to be left as an afterthought by government.”
Portsmouth North MP and former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt also stressed the need for more funding for grassroots groups like FVUK:
“The work Gary and his team does is life-saving, but they must be backed up by statutory services. Today is Blue Monday – the lowest point of the year for many people. We know intervention from groups like FVUK works and that is why it needs to be funded.”
Last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged £5 million to support armed forces charities. Veterans minister Leo Docherty said this funding will help deliver “gold standard” care for those who served.
Shadow veterans minister Stephanie Peacock warned the government is still not grasping the scale of the crisis, with official suicide figures not due until 2023. She called for a £35 million boost to veterans’ mental health funding and urged ministers to work closely with charities to avoid service cuts post-pandemic.
“We cannot allow veterans to feel alone in their greatest hour of need,” Stephanie said.
Need Help? Support is Available
- If you or your family need support, contact Forgotten Veterans UK:
- Online: 123
