War veterans should be helped to adjust to civilian life, says MPs

According to a group of MPs and unions, veterans returning from active combat should be offered help and advice to tackle problems with readjusting to civilian life and thereby stemming the rising number of veterans entering the criminal justice system. This proposal from the all party justice unions is part of a national strategy to reduce offending among veterans. The recommendations put forward by the MPs include: that those returning from combat should be given a psychological assessment before leaving the service, police monitoring arrested veterans and referring them if necessary to specialist help and requiring GPs to ask patients if they have served in the forces. Many of these veterans have experienced terrible things and they should receive help in order to reduce the amount of criminal crimes.

Reaction
I think that it is a very good proposal to offer war veterans psychological help in order for them to be able to return to normal civilian life. It is startling to know that many of these veterans when they return home end up in criminal justice systems for committing violent crimes. They need to spend more time preparing the soldiers for when they have to leave and give them the help that they need even if they themselves do not ask for it. It is for their own well- being and the well-being of those around them.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jul/05/war-veterans-military-soldiers