A TAMESIDE Green Party campaigner has called for better mental health, housing and family support for Armed Forces veterans.
With 6,696 Armed Forces veterans living in the borough, Phil Wilson-Marks believes more needs to be done to support former service personnel facing the lasting effects of military service.
Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, he has highlighted issues including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), homelessness, unemployment, addiction and social isolation, which can affect veterans long after they leave the Forces.
His call for greater support is also personal, having witnessed the impact of military service on his own family.
Phil’s father served in the Royal Air Force, including tours in West Germany and Northern Ireland during the Troubles. He later experienced several serious mental health crises.
Phil said: “He went through several serious mental health crises. At the time, PTSD was far less understood, and the psychological impact of military service was too often overlooked. There was little recognition of what he was going through or the support he needed.
“Military service doesn’t just affect the person wearing the uniform; its impact can reach into family life and relationships of those closest to them.”
He believes families can often be overlooked despite shouldering much of the emotional and practical burden when a veteran is struggling.
“People sometimes talk about PTSD as though it is simply a condition or a diagnosis. But behind that diagnosis is a human being, a family and a life that can be profoundly changed. The effects can last for years, sometimes decades.
“That is why Remembrance means so much more than looking back. We rightly honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but we must also recognise those who came home carrying invisible wounds.”
‘Remembering must also mean looking after them’
Phil is calling for timely access to specialist mental health services, alongside practical help with housing, employment, addiction and the transition to civilian life.
He also wants families to receive greater recognition and support, arguing that help should be available before people reach crisis point.
“We should not wait until someone reaches breaking point before offering help. We need services that understand the particular experiences of veterans, recognise the warning signs and provide support before problems become crises.
“Most importantly, we need to listen to veterans themselves. Their experiences should shape the services and support available to them.”
As residents prepare to attend Remembrance services across Tameside, Phil says the occasion should also prompt reflection on the challenges faced by those who return from conflict.
He said: “My father’s experiences have shown me that the end of military service does not necessarily mean the end of suffering. We cannot change what people have been through, but we can do much more to ensure they receive the care, understanding and support they deserve.
“Respect for our Armed Forces must extend beyond the years someone spends in uniform. It must be a lifelong commitment.
“We will remember them. But remembering must also mean looking after them.”