A concerning gap in support is leaving former military personnel discharged without apparent physical injuries vulnerable and underserved, according to recent warnings delivered to the government.
Johno Lee, a veteran who lost his leg after an IED explosion in Afghanistan at just 21 years old, shared his experiences with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick. While acknowledging the exceptional care he received from medical professionals following his injury, Lee highlighted a significant deficiency: the abrupt cessation of crucial support systems once patients leave hospital.
“For me,” Lee stated, “that additional assistance simply stopped immediately.”
Despite demonstrating remarkable resilience by embracing exercise and adapting to prosthetics, Lee battled underlying mental health challenges. “I didn’t recognise I was struggling with such serious issues until a particularly difficult day when I contemplated ending my life,” he revealed.
Lee vividly recounted the traumatic event that altered his life forever: “The day before, I was actively engaged in combat with the Taliban; the next, I was critically injured.” He emphasized the profound difficulty veterans face reintegrating into civilian life after such experiences.
He expressed gratitude for the support he received from organizations like SSAFA, but stressed the urgent need for enhanced mental health resources. “We must prioritize greater access to mental health services; currently, they are inadequate, contributing to a tragically high suicide rate among veterans.”
Describing the moment of his injury, Lee shared harrowing details: “I was thrown from the vehicle directly into a minefield, alone and bleeding profusely. I quickly realised my situation was dire. The vehicle lay overturned behind me.
- “My commanding officer and the driver were desperately trying to reach me.”
- “I attempted to crawl towards them for assistance; my knee was bent at an unnatural angle relative to my foot, with bone protruding and a fist-sized wound in my foot.”
“They risked their own lives, landing a Chinook helicopter directly within the minefield to rescue me. Remarkably, they managed to keep my leg intact initially, although I recall arguing with the doctor not to proceed with amputation.”
Now, nearly two decades later, Lee is happily married with children and actively involved in local politics.
“It’s incredibly disheartening to know others are enduring similar struggles today,” he said. “I benefited from substantial support, which underscored the critical importance of timely assistance. The families often get overlooked too. We tend to focus on the service member, but spouses and children frequently experience a high risk of divorce, declining mental well-being, and sometimes resort to substance abuse as coping mechanisms for depression or PTSD. There’s currently no financial aid available to them.”
Robert Jenrick is participating in this Sunday’s London Marathon (April 27th) to raise funds for SSAFA.
Responding to Lee’s account, Jenrick affirmed: “We have a responsibility to ensure veterans like Johno receive the best possible care. Numerous admirable charities are working tirelessly to support our veterans and their families, but more needs to be done.”
Donations for Jenrick’s fundraiser can be made through the SSAFA website.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, struggling to cope, or contemplating suicide, please reach out for help. You can contact Samaritans anonymously and free of charge from any UK phone on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
