'Large Upsurge' In Veterans Seeking Help During Lockdown

The number of veterans seeking help during the coronavirus lockdown has surged, a not-for-profit company has warned.

All Call Signs, which offers a peer-to-peer chat service to veterans, said more people seem to be struggling as a result of the lockdown. 

"There's been quite a large upsurge," said Dan Arnold from the company.

"We were looking at the data the other day and our traffic has gone up by 60% per week.

"Typically, we'd normally see 50 new people reach out using our 'chat now' function.

"That's spiked all the way up to 120, 130, a week."

Mr Arnold said "a range of different things" are behind the increase.

"[People are] just trying to get support while being isolated," he said.

"Individuals might live at home, relationships might be breaking down... right the way up to people who feel they're on the edge of a spiral and possibly a mental health crisis."

All Call Signs also provides a beacon alert service, helping to search for missing veterans.

Mr Arnold said the company has seen an "upsurge" in ex-forces key workers who have gone missing, saying they have been "really burnt out" by the pandemic.

"I'm glad to say we brought around successful results in every instance," he said.

"But we're definitely seeing the data come through that this is taking its toll on key workers that have been in the Armed Forces."

Despite All Call Signs closing its doors during the lockdown, its team continues to work remotely and encouraged any veteran who needs support to contact them. 

Cover image: PA.