The army is all about routine. Soldiers must be up early in the morning to do a six-mile run and with the average working day being 8am to about 5pm. Along with this routine soldier have strict regulations they must keep with such as; boots polished, tidy sleeping area and uniform being in the best condition.

Being in the army can be one of the most difficult and a personally challenging job, from vigorous training to placing what could be your whole life on the line whilst also being away from family members for months can take a toll on a person’s mental health. However, the main problems seem to occur when they leave.

Even through rigorous training it can also been one of the best experiences people can have. Aaron a veteran infantry soldier in the British army said “once you’re in the army wherever you come from or what’s happened in your past doesn’t matter, you become a part of a bigger family, you all risk your lives a long side with one and another and that creates a different kind of bond”. This sense of acceptance is what can draw people into the army along with their well-known catchphrase ‘find where you belong’.

When soldiers leave the army, they lose this sense of security of always having someone around them, “it’s also like being tossed out on your own because everyone you have is still in the army and it can make you feel so vulnerable” said Aaron. This can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression due to feelings like loneliness.

“you feel like you hold a purpose whilst being a soldier and that your someone, it feels like all of that is ripped away from you” said the infantry soldier. With such a drastic change from army life to what we class as a normal everyday its clear to see why this could have a serious impact on someone.

There are many charities and support groups set up such as Combat Stress and SSAFA, to try help and offer support to veteran. However, there is still a ‘steady increase’ in the amount of soldiers struggling according to parliament publications, showing that there is still more to do to combat the mental health problems.