4 November 2008
In response to the release of the latest Armed Forces Psychiatric Morbidity Report, Celia Richardson, Campaigns Director for the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“The mental health of our returning troops and veterans has been neglected for generations. From the Falklands to the first Gulf War, and now the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have failed to give adequate support to those who risk their mental health along with their lives for their country.
“Too many servicemen and women have found their lives shattered by their experiences, and received little or no help from either the armed forces or the health service. It is time to put a stop to this. With our troops set for active service for the foreseeable future, we could and should expand our current efforts and provide comprehensive, dedicated support services for our service personnel and veterans for as long as they need it.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
FACTS:
There are five million veterans (with 8 million dependants) in the UK (Dandeker et al., 2003), along with around 180,000 serving personnel (Defence Analytical Services Agency website TSP 4)
At first the Falklands War was thought to have produced few psychiatric casualties. However, a later study found that 22% of a sample group of combat veterans showed symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (O’Brien and Hughes, The British Journal of Psychiatry, 1991) The South Atlantic Medal Association later claimed that the number of Falklands veterans that have committed suicide exceeds the number of British combat deaths from the conflict.
A 2003 study of the Northern Ireland conflict found that psychological difficulties increased by 50% after return from duty in the province (Lawrenson, G. and Ogden, J. , British Medical Journal, 2003)
The charity Combat Stress reports that the average length of time between leaving the armed forces and seeking their help is approximately 14 years
Both Crisis (1994) and the Ex-Services Action Group (1997) found that a high percentage - 25% and 22% respectively - of homeless people had served in the armed forces.
Research has shown that those suffering mental health problems during service are more likely to leave the forces, at which point they lose access to mental health services provided by the MoD. (Iversen et al., European Journal of Public Health, 2005). Those doing badly upon leaving are likely to continue to do so, with only half seeking help. Very few of those are referred to specialist mental health care, the prescription of anti-depressants being far more common. (Iversen et al., British Journal of Psychiatry, 2005)
Currently serving personnel are entitled to services supplied by the Defence Medical Services (DMS), attached to the MoD. Most veterans are entitled to NHS treatment only.
For more information please contact the Mental Health Foundation press office on 020 7803 1130/28 or email sloveland@mhf.org.uk fgorman@mhf.org.uk
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services. www.mentalhealth.org.uk
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