Family of Deceased Veteran Calls for Immediate Mental Health Care Reform

The relatives of a former Royal Marine who died by suicide are advocating for legislative changes to ensure veterans receive prompt mental health care treatment. Sam Morgan, 36, from Guisborough, near Middlesbrough, who had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), passed away on November 29. His widow, Holly Morgan, stated: “He fought every single day for his family and his babies but the support he needed just wasn’t there.” The Ministry of Defence (MOD) affirmed that it offers a “responsive, flexible, accessible and comprehensive treatment service”. According to his family, Mr. Morgan had completed three tours in Afghanistan, but his mental health declined following his departure from military service. His family reported that their repeated efforts to secure immediate face-to-face counseling or residential treatment were unsuccessful. Mr. Morgan’s widow further recounted: “He said to me one time that more of his regiment had died through suicide than had been lost during their time in Afghanistan.” She added: “He really struggled with that, he really struggled with losing his friends.” In a formal statement, a spokesperson for the MOD commented that the passing of any individual within the armed forces’ community “is a tragedy”. The spokesperson continued: “We recognise the profound impact this has on Sam’s family and friends, and our sympathies remain with them at this difficult time.” They also affirmed: “We are determined to provide the best possible mental healthcare services to our armed forces.” Over 100 Royal Marines are anticipated to be present at Mr. Morgan’s funeral on Saturday. For those impacted by the subjects discussed in this report, assistance and support can be accessed through the BBC Action Line. Updates from BBC Tees are available on X, Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram, external. Submissions for story ideas can be sent to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Details concerning our policy on external linking are provided.