Tri-Service
Trump Appears To Suggest Veterans With PTSD Are Not 'Strong'
Donald Trump has appeared to suggest that soldiers and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder are not "strong".
Speaking to the Retired American Warriors PAC in Hendon Virginia, the Republican presidential hopeful said:
"When you talk about the mental health problems, when people come back from war and combat and they see things that maybe a lot of folks in this room have seen many times over - and you're strong and you can handle it - but a lot of people can't handle it. They see horror stories, they see events you couldn't see in a movie, nobody would believe it."
"When you hear the 22 suicides a day, that should never be. That should never be. So we're going to be addressing that very strongly."
Supporters of Mr Trump said his comments were taken out of context and accused the media of acting as the "propaganda arm of Hillary Clinton".
His adviser, retired Lt Gen Michael Flynn said:
"Mr. Trump was highlighting the challenges veterans face when returning home after serving their country."
An emotional Vice President Joe Biden responded to the comments, asking "Where in the hell is he from?"
He added: "I don’t think he was trying to be mean. He is just so thoroughly, completely uninformed."
In the US the number of suicides relating to PTSD has risen sharply, while in the UK charities are reporting an increasing number of people being referred to them with the condition.
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