The Conservatives would introduce compulsory screening for service personnel leaving the forces to check for things like post-traumatic stress disorder, the Telegraph reports.
At first I was a little unsure about the benefits of introducing a compulsory scheme – would it end up being something soldiers went into grudgingly?
But it may actually be the only way to tackle the stigma of admitting mental health problems within the military. Perhaps soldiers would not feel so bad about admitting problems if they knew it was something all their colleagues had to go through too.
I agree that this should be mandatory. I have a friend who is currently on remand for some serious offences towards his wife and his family after the breakdown of his marriage whilst he was posted abroad. His psychiatric report (via the criminal court) showed an array of issues which are currently affecting his thinking and reasoning. Although he was experiencing problems long before the marriage breakdown after returning from Afghan he was adament that speaking to people within the army was not going to happen.
Something has to change!!