Brett Savage death: ‘NI veterans under extreme mental health pressure due to Covid-19’

The leader of an NI charity says veterans are under unprecedented pressure due to Covid-19, after five took their lives in the past month.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 31st Aug 2020, 18:38 BST
Updated 1st Sep 2020, 10:17 BST
Veterans from around the UK arrive in Ards after a three day walk from Edinburgh to highlight the unique pressures on veterans in NI. A service was held at Ards Cenotaph as wreaths were laid by ex-servicemen and local politicians in memory of soldiers who have lost their lives. Photo Pacemaker PressVeterans from around the UK arrive in Ards after a three day walk from Edinburgh to highlight the unique pressures on veterans in NI. A service was held at Ards Cenotaph as wreaths were laid by ex-servicemen and local politicians in memory of soldiers who have lost their lives. Photo Pacemaker Press
Veterans from around the UK arrive in Ards after a three day walk from Edinburgh to highlight the unique pressures on veterans in NI. A service was held at Ards Cenotaph as wreaths were laid by ex-servicemen and local politicians in memory of soldiers who have lost their lives. Photo Pacemaker Press

Robert McCartney of Ards-based ‘Beyond the Battlefield’ was speaking after one of their members, Royal Irish veteran Brett Savage, took his life over the weekend.

He had survived the notorious Siege of Musa Qala in Afghanistan, where he and a handful of other soldiers survived a 55 day attack from 300 Taliban fighters in 2006.

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Yesterday seven veterans and two civilians from around the UK arrived in Ards, having begun walking from Edinburgh on Friday.

They began the walk in memory of veteran Bill Ellwood from the Glencairn area of Belfast, who also took his life recently.

Representatives from 30 regiments welcomed them at Ards Cenotaph, along with new Veterans Commissioner Danny Kinahan and local MP Jim Shannon.

Eric Larkin, from Springmartin in Belfast, who completed the walk, said: “Veterans in Northern Ireland are not afforded the same support as they get in GB.

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“There is still the serious security threat against them here, and they cannot parade freely with their uniforms and medals. The Military Covenant is also not respected in the same way.”

Mr McCartney, a veteran and qualified counsellor, has supported some 9000 veterans since starting the Beyond the Battlefield charity 12 years ago. But aside from one exception, this month has been the first time they have lost any veterans they were supporting.

“The five deaths are being widely discussed on social media and I am deeply concerned that they could spark further suicides,” he said.

“What I would say to anybody thinking about it is, don’t. You don’t need to face this alone and suffer in silence. Call us.”

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He added: “I think Covid is a big part of it. Veterans are not used to being stuck in their homes, where many of them may be alone.

“I would ask all our veterans and their friends to check in on each other right now. Many veterans have increased their alcohol consumption during lockdown but that is a depressant and is not going to help. What they need is someone they can open up to and talk.”

Due to the ongoing security threat in NI veterans do not feel they can open up to the NHS about military related PTSD, he added.

• For help call, Beyond the Battlefield: 028 91 228 389 / 07964 574 156 or Combat Stress: 0800 138 1619.

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‘Absolute devastation’ after death of former Royal Irish soldier Brett Savage

17,000 veterans in NI have mental health issues, says charity chief

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Related topics:Covid-19VeteransAfghanistan