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There were 499 soldiers with mental health problems kicked out of the Army last year, a ­defence chief has admitted.

Troops suffering illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety were told they were no longer fit to serve.

Many who were medically ­discharged say that losing their jobs and often homes made their illness worse, driving some to the brink of ­suicide. The disclosure was made in a letter from defence minister Tobias Ellwood to decorated hero Trevor Coult, a staff sergeant shown the door after developing PTSD.

Trevor won the Military Cross after killing three would-be suicide bombers in Iraq. He wrote to the MoD urging better treatment for PTSD sufferers.

(Image: PA)

In the reply, Mr Ellwood admitted almost one in five of all troops medically discharged from the Army in the 12 months to April had mental illness.

Married dad-of-one Trevor, 42, a ­veteran of three Afghanistan tours, ­received only £6,000 after his ­discharge. He used it to help rent a home for his family.

He said: “I was sent home on sick leave and no one contacted me for 11 months. Then I got a ­letter saying my employment was being terminated and I had 28 days to vacate my MoD ­property or I’d be evicted and my family moved to sheltered ­accommodation. I was devastated. My salary of £36,000 had gone and I was homeless. I became depressed quickly and attempted ­suicide. The money I received from the MoD lasted just a couple of months.

“We now know hundreds of ­soldiers with PTSD are being forced out every year and the Government washes its hands of them. They need help and support.”

(Image: PA)

Trevor, who campaigns for better ­treatment for veterans, told Mr Ellwood rather than paying medically discharged troops £6,000 they should have help finding a new home and get rent for a year.

He added: “Six thousand pounds goes very quickly when you are unemployed and homeless.” He was told there were no plans to change government policy.

In the letter, Mr Ellwood said of 2,526 service personnel medically discharged up to April, 499 had “mental and behavioural problems”. He said to “provide preferential treatment for one particular group would not be fair to those ­discharged for other medical reasons”.

The Sunday People is ­campaigning for better treatment for veterans ­with mental health problems.