Army boss slams TV dramas such as BBC’s Bodyguard for wrongly depicting PTSD in ex-soldiers
TELLY dramas wrongly depict Army veterans as PTSD victims, military supremo Gen Sir Nick Carter said yesterday.
He also rapped charities for the error, saying it hindered troops’ return to Civvy Street.
Sir Nick slammed “a perception that many veterans have serious problems, including mental health disorders”. The Chief of Defence Staff told military think tank RUSI in London: “It’s reinforced by often ill-informed comments they’re scarred for life, homeless, turn to alcohol or drugs due to PTSD or are likelier to be jailed.
“Although these observations are said with sympathy and gratitude, there’s a gap between perception and reality.
“Misconception is fuelled by documentaries, dramas, films and some charity campaigns.
“There’s a risk that public misconception acts as a barrier to veterans’ prospects in civilian life.”
Typical of under-fire shows is BBC1’s Bodyguard with Richard Madden as troubled ex-squaddie David Budd.
Some MoD insiders also accuse good causes of inflating veterans’ difficulties to keep donations rolling in.
Yet just eight per cent are jobless six months after leaving service, figures show.
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