Britain faces a "ticking time bomb" of mental illness and suicide as troops return from fierce combat in Afghanistan, the Tories warned on Wednesday.
A lack of mental health support and the intensity of the battle against the Taliban will leave record numbers suffering from post-traumatic stress, according to the party.
David Cameron, the Tory leader, and Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, are highlighting the dangers at a summit after one of the bloodiest periods for British forces for decades.
The bodies of eight soldiers killed in Afghanistan - three of them teenagers - were repatriated on Tuesday.
Research suggests that veterans aged 18 to 23 are up to three times more likely to commit suicide than civilians.
More veterans of the Falklands campaign and first Gulf War are believed to have killed themselves after quitting the forces than died in action.
Some 255 were killed during the Falklands conflict, but an estimated 264 of troops who survived have since committed suicide.
The Gulf War claimed the lives of 24 British soldiers, but a Government study last year suggested that 169 veterans had died of "intentional self harm" or in circumstances that led to open verdicts at inquests.
Dr Fox said: "The suicide figures for past conflicts are deeply concerning. I worry that with the intensity of the current operations in Afghanistan we are building up a timebomb of mental health problems."
Mr Cameron and Dr Fox will set out plans for improving mental welfare support for troops at a "combat stress" summit at parliament yesterday.
Veterans' groups, and mental health and military experts will also attend, including Andy McNab, the former SAS soldier.
