Britain must address a suicide risk among Afghanistan veterans by reassuring them that their service was not in vain, the UK’s Armed Forces Minister has said.
James Heappey raised the fear of suicides among veterans after the 20-year Nato campaign ended in a humiliating defeat to the Taliban.
Mr Heappey sowed confusion on Monday by initially claiming that some former soldiers had taken their lives in recent days, before later retracting this.
He said a suicide note on social media regarding a former member of his battalion, which he had taken as real was under investigation by defence officials, who are not sure of its authenticity.
Mr Heappey, himself an Afghanistan veteran, said he was embarrassed by the error but maintained that suicides were a grave concern.
“That cohort of Afghanistan veterans will be feeling more vulnerable right now,” he told broadcasters. “They will be questioning whether their service was worth it.
“I know how much the veterans community is hurting. We need to keep telling them that what they did, they should be proud of.”
“We need to get our arm round those people right now and make sure that they’re OK and that they get all the help that they need.”
There were 457 British soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Many others continue to suffer mental health effects from their service, Mr Heappey said.
Help for veterans
Politicians have sought to stress the achievements of the Nato campaign, including the prevention of terrorist attacks planned from Afghanistan.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has highlighted the improvement in education for Afghan children, especially girls.
But many former soldiers, including some such as Mr Heappey who are now politicians, have been dismayed by the swift unravelling of the 20-year effort.
The head of a veterans’ group in Germany has expressed concern that disillusioned former soldiers could be radicalised by political extremists.
Mr Heappey said support for veterans should come from a mixture of government funding and donations to military charities.
He said there had been too many suicides over the last 10 years linked to soldiers who served in Afghanistan.
“Asked whether he understood the anger of veterans, he said: “I do, and I am intensely fearful for what that means for the veterans’ community, for their mental health.
“The sad reality is that as an Afghanistan veteran I’ve spent much of the last decade feeling like the country has moved on.
“What’s happening now is politics, it’s a set of political judgments, but it doesn’t in any way invalidate or diminish their amazing achievements during their tours.”
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Law%2041.9.4%20of%20men%E2%80%99s%20T20I%20playing%20conditions
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Match info
Who: India v Afghanistan
What: One-off Test match, Bengaluru
When: June 14 to 18
TV: OSN Sports Cricket HD, 8am starts
Online: OSN Play (subscribers only)
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
