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Twice as many troops and veterans are seeking mental health treatment as a decade a ago, a report reveals today.

MPs found particularly high levels among personnel who saw combat in Afghanistan or Iraq.

But the Commons Defence Committee warns it still takes “too long” for veterans to access care.

Ministry of Defence figures showed 3.1% of serving personnel are diagnosed with mental health conditions - twice the proportion in 2008/09, the year violence in Afghanistan surged.

But MPs fear the number of veterans with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression could be three times higher, at about 10%.

(Image: Getty)

They believe some may not seek help because of stigma surrounding mental health.

Deployment to combat roles in Iraq or Afghanistan “clearly increased the likelihood of mental health conditions”, according to the investigation.

A 2014 study found PTSD levels of 6.9% among regular troops and 6% among reservists.

Other groups potentially more vulnerable to mental health problems include women personnel, those who leave the Armed Forces early and those recruited below the age of 18, says today’s report.

But the cross-party committee warns it is “not only wrong but harmful” to think most servicemen and women are damaged by their experience in the military.

The “vast majority” leave with no mental problems, the panel insists.

The report says “too much attention” may be being paid to PTSD, when conditions like depression are actually more common.

The principle enshrined in the Armed Services Covenant that veterans should receive priority treatment for service-related conditions is “inconsistently applied” across the UK.

“Palpable confusion” about how it should be implemented reigns, creating an impression the health service is “failing veterans”, the report adds.

Committee chairman Julian Lewis said: “Contrary to public perception, most servicemen and women leave with no mental ill-health and, to help veterans, we need to dispel the myth that many suffer psychological harm.

“But the MoD must ensure that the few who do develop mental health problems are receiving the level of care promised to them in the Armed Forces Covenant.

“At the moment they are not, and we shall examine the situation in more detail in our follow-up inquiry.”

Labour MP Ruth Smeeth, who sits on the Defence Committee and chairs Parliament’s cross-party group on the Armed Forces Covenant, said: “Effective support during transition, as you leave the military, is essential to ensure that our service personnel experience a positive move into civilian life without any unnecessary stress.

“If they are already receiving support for mental health issues while serving, they must receive what they need as they move into NHS care.

“Yet, clearly, some leavers are falling through the gaps and the MoD needs to do much better in working with health economies across the UK to stop this from happening.”