Mother Calls for Action After Veteran Son's Death Highlights Mental Health Support Failures
The mother of Robert Homans, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, believes his death by suspected suicide underscores the ongoing struggles veterans face in accessing adequate mental health support and housing. Homans, 35, was found dead in Worcester last month after years of battling mental health issues.
A Mother's Plea for Accountability
Dawn Turner, Robert Homans's mother, has voiced her frustration and grief, stating that her son repeatedly faced barriers when seeking help. She claims that the response to his needs was often "you are not a priority," despite promises of support for veterans. She is now calling for the government to be "held accountable" for failing veterans like her son. Turner established the charity Stepway in 2019 after a prior suicide attempt by Robert.
Robert's Service and Struggles
Robert Homans served for 10 years in the Royal Horse Artillery, completing two tours of duty in Afghanistan after enlisting in 2006. Turner noted the physical toll of his service, including hearing loss due to the artillery fire. Following a divorce, he returned to Worcester and faced a six-month waiting list for mental health support and a two-year wait for housing, ultimately experiencing homelessness and "sofa surfing" before his death.
"The System is Broken"
Dawn Turner recalls her son telling her, "Mum, the system is broken." In response, she has launched a campaign called "Rob's Army - Justice for Veterans" to advocate for improved treatment and support for veterans. She argues that the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise of fair treatment for those who serve, has not been upheld in Robert's case and in many other veterans' cases. Turner is urging the government and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to take responsibility for these shortcomings.
Government Response
A spokesperson for the MoD expressed condolences to Robert Homans's family, stating, "Our deepest condolences go out to Robert's loved ones, and our thoughts and sympathies are with them." The MoD also highlighted its investment of over £25 million in Op COURAGE, a specialist NHS mental health and wellbeing service for veterans in England. They also stated that "While we cannot comment on individual cases, we want to ensure that no veteran falls through the cracks."
Key Issues and Support Resources
- Lack of timely access to mental health support for veterans.
- Housing difficulties faced by single male veterans.
- The perceived failure of the Armed Forces Covenant to protect veterans.
- The physical and mental impact of military service on young soldiers.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line website.
