Letter: Some of us must cope with stress alone

Sir: In September 1939, we were "bombed out" and, at Christmas, my parents were also "bombed out". This was followed by four years on my own - as my husband was away in the army - when my small son and I learnt to live with the air raid siren and later the flying bomb. The best thing about those years was the community spirit, and the phrase "post-traumatic stress" was unknown.

In the years since then, I have had many "traumatic" experiences but a supportive, loyal family has always been the answer and still is.

Yours sincerely,

J. RATCLIFFE

Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

1 April