Hard-hitting documentary reveals mental health impact of evacuation from Afghanistan

This Sunday night (2 July) Channel 4 will televise the first of a three-part documentary about the British service personnel who oversaw the evacuation of Afghan refugees fleeing for their lives when Kabul fell to the Taliban in 2021.

Evacuation gives a profound insight into the harrowing ordeal they experienced and the consequences on their mental health. A combination of footage filmed at the time of the evacuation and interviews given for the documentary, serving personnel speak openly about what they endured. It is a raw and confronting account.

Combat Stress has been asked by Channel 4 to support the documentary by raising awareness of the series to increase understanding of military trauma and moral injury. Channel 4 has kindly agreed to include our Helpline details in the end credits of every episode. We know this documentary series will be triggering for some veteran and serving personnel and we will be standing by to support them. We are urging those affected by the programme to call our 24-hour Helpline for confidential advice and support. Veterans can call 0800 138 1619; for serving personnel it is 0800 323 4444

Last month we attended the screening at Channel 4 of the first two episodes. The impact on those military personnel featured was clearly devastating and sadly, among some, signs of mental health issues such as moral injury were visible.

We hope this documentary will help viewers gain a better understanding of the role our servicemen and women perform. This is a must watch series that painfully captures the courage, compassion and determination displayed by the British armed forces in an unprecedented crisis.

Evacuation will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 9pm on 2, 3 and 4 July. Warning: this programme contains scenes that some viewers may find distressing.