Veteran Suicide Crisis Hits Portsmouth Hard as Charity Struggles to Cope
Volunteers at Forgotten Veterans UK (FVUK) are overwhelmed, facing a sharp surge in cases since December – dealing with almost one suicidal veteran every single day. The sudden spike is one of the worst ever seen by FVUK, sparking fresh fears of a veteran suicide crisis spiralling out of control.
Two Deaths Rock Portsmouth Military Community
Just days before the New Year, Portsmouth was shaken by the deaths of two veterans. One was a familiar face at FVUK, while the other was a former soldier local to the area. The tragic losses have left the military community devastated.
Gary, a former Royal Engineer who survived two suicide attempts after a crippling spinal injury ended his army career, expressed his heartbreak: “This has been heartbreaking. We give everything we can and do everything we can. We do what most people aren’t prepared to do. And when it’s not working, it breaks our heart.”
He added, “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.”
Workload Skyrockets Amid Desperate Calls for Help
Gary’s team, based at Fort Cumberland, supported over 4,000 veterans in the past year. But since December, they’ve scrambled to assist 30 veterans at crisis point.
Reflecting on the recent death of a long-term client, Gary said: “He turned up when we had a documentary crew and left a beautiful testimonial about how we helped him get off cocaine. He said he was in a better place. Four days later he took his own life. I blame myself for this.”
Calls Grow for Government Action and Support
Campaigners, including Spotted Portsmouth, have long urged the government to tackle veteran suicide – dubbed an ‘epidemic of our time’ by ex-army chief General Lord Richard Dannatt. In September, the government took a step forward by launching a method to better record veteran suicides in England and Wales, alongside creating the Office For Veterans’ Affairs.
However, Gary insists it’s not enough: “The reality is it hasn’t been enough and the system is still failing us. The government, NHS, and charities have upped their game but it’s still a very tricky world.
Stephen Morgan, Labour’s former shadow armed forces minister, slammed ministers for delay: “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 called for more funding for grassroots groups like FVUK, calling their work “life-saving” but warning they need proper support from statutory services.
In September, PM Boris Johnson announced an extra £5million for armed forces charities, aiming to boost care for veterans nationwide. Veterans minister Leo Docherty promised a “gold standard of care” for those who served.
Labour’s shadow veterans minister Stephanie Peacock lamented the lack of urgency: “Ministers are failing to understand the scale of this issue. We must ensure veterans and their families have the right support.”
Need Help? Here’s Where to Turn
- Forgotten Veterans UK Online: 123
