Crisis calls from veterans have skyrocketed since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, prompting calls for support for veterans from NT Federal MP Luke Gosling.
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According to national veteran charity and support group Wounded Heroes Australia, crisis calls from returned servicemen and women have doubled in the months since the withdrawal of allied troops from Afghanistan and the subsequent Taliban takeover.
Wounded Heroes Australia, which usually receives an average of 151 calls a month, have seen their call numbers more than double.
"We have received a huge number of calls for help, double the usual. Every day it is someone else who is in a tough place and can't navigate the bureaucracy to get the urgent help they need," President Martin Shaw said.
"Now, with Afghanistan unfortunately dominating the news, it brings back so many memories and takes some vulnerable people to a much darker place."
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The charity has assisted 161 veterans in the NT to overcome issues of mental health problems and poverty.
"They're some of the most resilient veterans that I've ever met," Mr Shaw said.
"They do suffer in silence. Our job is to find them."
It comes after a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare this month found 1200 Australian Defence Force veterans and personnel have died by suicide in the last 20 years.
Federal member for Solomon, Luke Gosling - who served in the ADF for 13 years - said the alarming figures show that the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide should have been established earlier.
The royal commission was established in July after a years-long push from advocates.
"Just imagine if the Morrison Government heeded the calls of veterans and families years ago and initiated a Royal commission, we would now be implementing the recommendations," he said.
"Much more urgency is needed and a national focus on action, reflection and remembrance is now needed to welcome them all home from 20 years of service and sacrifice and to provide the care required.
"Lets not wait 20 years like our nation did with the Vietnam veterans, we must honour our veterans and their families now."
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