'I lost 14 friends to war, then 14 more to suicide'
The article discusses the launch of the VALOUR Network, a £50m government scheme aimed at providing comprehensive support for veterans in Greater Manchester. It highlights the struggles of veteran Craig Monaghan, who lost 14 friends in war and another 14 to suicide, emphasizing the mental health challenges veterans face post-service. The scheme seeks to create a central hub for veterans to access housing, mental and physical health services, and employment guidance.
£50m VALOUR Network Launches in Greater Manchester to Tackle Veterans’ Crisis
Craig Monaghan watched 14 comrades die in Afghanistan, then witnessed another 14 from his regiment take their own lives after returning home. The former soldier, who survived a traumatic brain injury that left him partially deaf, shared his harrowing experience at the Imperial War Museum on Thursday as the government launched a £50m scheme to revolutionise veterans’ support.
The VALOUR Network pilot programme, unveiled at the Trafford museum on June 26, aims to unite hundreds of veterans’ charities across Greater Manchester to provide comprehensive “wrap-around” support for those leaving military service. The initiative will establish Manchester as the first HQ location, connecting former service personnel with housing, health, employment and mental health services through a single point of contact.
“I was part of a company that lost 14 people in action. Since Afghanistan, I’ve lost another 14 friends from that same company to suicide,” Monaghan revealed. The 36-year-old, who founded the Spearhead Foundation, attempted suicide three times after leaving the army. “It was only after the third occasion when I woke up in hospital, I thought ‘I’m really not that good at trying to take my own life so maybe I need to try and do something’.”
The Greater Manchester pilot, chosen for the region’s “forces friendly” councils and 220,000-strong veteran population, will serve as a blueprint for nationwide rollout. Veterans Minister Al Cairns explained the critical need: “A lot of veterans are fine when they leave, but a couple years later, they might experience issues - they might be physical, mental, they could be career-related or even a break-up in a relationship - so where do they go for help? At the moment they probably have to tell their story nine different times before they get the help they need.”
The scheme operates through the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in partnership with Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire combined authorities.
Source: Read original article