Wife of traumatised war hero tells ABC Q&A husband tried to take his own life ... trends now
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The devoted wife of a traumatised army medic has revealed the desperate lengths needed to keep her suicidal husband alive amid a lack of services for veterans.
Alison and Dave opened up on ABC's Q&A program on Monday night about their harrowing experiences after Dave served for Australia in East Timor.
Dave said he was haunted by the things he saw during his service as a solider and medic, and has tried to take his own life 'more than 30 times'.
Fighting back tears, Alison said after his last suicide attempt she tied herself to her husband while they waited nine days for a bed to become available in an inpatient care centre.
'Nine days I had to tie myself to my husband so he wouldn't have any more attempts to end his life at night while we slept,' she told the stunned panel.
Dave said he has horrific nightmares 'every night'.
'I'm in full body pain constantly, even my eyelids hurt,' he said.
When asked by host Stan Grant what it was like for her, Alison replied: 'If I was just a wife it'd be good, but I am Dave's career, counsellor, psychiatrist, psychologist, doctor, chemist - everything.
'I cut him down when he's hanging from the