The distraught mother of a soldier who took his own life has been diagnosed with post- traumatic stress disorder - but says the Army has turned its back on her too.
Alison Blackwell has suffered from horrifying flashbacks, nightmares and panic attacks since her son Nathan Worner was found dead at his Army barracks in May.
But she said the Army has refused to help her with any PTSD counselling and she now faces a 14-week wait before she can get any help for her condition on the NHS.
And she tells how Nathan’s brothers Tyler 28 and Kye, 27, and sister Gemma, 23, feel let down too.
Alison said: “The Army have no interest in myself or my family. We have been treated as if we don’t matter. We are falling apart. We are a strong family but my three other children are struggling.”
“Suicide in any family is a traumatic experience but the Army have made everything so much worse.
“The Army failed Nathan and now they are failing me and my family.”
It is believed Rifleman Nathan, 20, was suffering from depression when he took his life.
Alison, 48, said she was diagnosed with PTSD by her GP when the flashbacks and panic attacks started.
She said: “I saw images of Nathan in his coffin and in his room. It was so real. I could almost feel him, smell him, almost touch him.
“I would be sitting in my seat and a flashback would happen and I would jump up unable to breath.
“I wake up most nights screaming after having nightmares or reliving the moment when I was told Nathan had been found dead by the police.
“I don’t think the Army has any idea what families go through after losing someone. If they did they wouldn’t treat us like this.”
Alison is particularly critical of the MoD’s Joint Compassionate Care Centre set up to support grieving families.
She said: “The JCCC is neither compassionate nor caring about bereaved families. We needed help but they weren’t interested and just said we should speak to our GP.
“ I was treated as though I was a problem.”
But the mum has been helped by Jo Jukes, whose veteran husband David took his own life in 2018. She created support group For The Fallen, which helps families who have lost a loved one through military suicide.
Jo said: “We offer support and advice in the days and weeks after losing someone.
“We now have over 70 members and we’re growing daily. Every one of our members has lost someone to military suicide. We can talk people through the inquest process and can help with lawyers if they are considering taking legal action.” For more details see Forthefallen.co.uk.
Alison, from Bristol, also supports the Sunday People’s Save Our Soldiers campaign, which is calling for an overhaul of how the MoD tackles PTSD and mental health issues. At least 54 serving and former members of the armed forces have taken their lives so far this year.
More than 200 have killed themselves since 2018.
Nathan, whose funeral was held in June, was serving with 5 Rifles when he was found dead in his room at Bulford Barracks, Wilts. He had been back there for only three hours after lockdown leave.
Two other soldiers who Nathan served with have also taken their lives and a third attempted suicide.
The MoD has insisted there is no connection between the tragedies.
An Army spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with Rifleman Nathan Worner’s family.
“Supporting families who are dealing with the loss of a loved one is a duty we take incredibly seriously.”
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operates a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email Jo@samaritans.org if you'd prefer to write down how you feel. You are not alone.
