What are the consequences of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the mental health of the UK armed forces? A cohort study

The Lancet ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 375 (9728) ◽  
pp. 1783-1797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola T Fear ◽  
Margaret Jones ◽  
Dominic Murphy ◽  
Lisa Hull ◽  
Amy C Iversen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals UK veterans’ mental health and well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e049815
Author(s):  
Marie-Louise Sharp ◽  
Danai Serfioti ◽  
Margaret Jones ◽  
Howard Burdett ◽  
David Pernet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hazardous Drinking ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Health And Well Being

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and well-being of UK ex-service personnel (veterans) before and during the pandemic, and to assess associations of COVID-19 experiences and stressors with mental health, alcohol use and loneliness.DesignAn additional wave of data was collected from a longitudinal cohort study of the UK Armed Forces.SettingOnline survey June–September 2020.ParticipantsCohort members were included if they had completed a questionnaire at phase 3 of the King’s Centre for Military Health Research health and well-being study (2014–2016), had left the Armed Forces after regular service, were living in the UK, had consented to follow-up and provided a valid email address. Invitation emails were sent to N=3547 with a 44% response rate (n=1562).Primary outcome measuresCommon mental health disorders (CMDs) (measured using the General Health Questionnaire, 12 items—cut-off ≥4), hazardous alcohol use (measured using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, 10 items—cut off ≥8) and loneliness (University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale— 3 items-cut-off ≥6).ResultsVeterans reported a statistically significant decrease in hazardous drinking of 48.5% to 27.6%, while CMD remained stable (non-statistically significant increase of 24.5% to 26.1%). 27.4% of veterans reported feelings of loneliness. The COVID-19 stressors of reporting difficulties with family/social relationships, boredom and difficulties with health were statistically significantly associated with CMD, hazardous drinking and loneliness, even after adjustment for previous mental health/hazardous alcohol use.ConclusionsOur study suggests a COVID-19 impact on veterans’ mental health, alcohol use and loneliness, particularly for those experiencing difficulties with family relationships. Veterans experienced the pandemic in similar ways to the general population and in some cases may have responded in resilient ways. While stable levels of CMD and reduction in alcohol use are positive, there remains a group of veterans who may need mental health and alcohol treatment services.

Mental health consequences of overstretch in the UK Armed Forces, 2007–09: a population-based cohort study

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
pp. 531-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto J Rona ◽  
Margaret Jones ◽  
Mary Keeling ◽  
Lisa Hull ◽  
Simon Wessely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals Mental health consequences of overstretch in the UK armed forces: first phase of a cohort study

BMJ ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 335 (7620) ◽  
pp. 603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto J Rona ◽  
Nicola T Fear ◽  
Lisa Hull ◽  
Neil Greenberg ◽  
Mark Earnshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals Early Service leavers: a study of the factors associated with premature separation from the UK Armed Forces and the mental health of those that leave early

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. J. Buckman ◽  
H. J. Forbes ◽  
T. Clayton ◽  
M. Jones ◽  
N. Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals Maternal mental health and childhood injury: evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Hope ◽  
Jessica Deighton ◽  
Nadia Micali ◽  
Catherine Law
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Millennium Cohort Study ◽  
Childhood Injury ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
Uk Millennium Cohort Study ◽  
The Uk

ObjectiveWe assessed whether maternal mental health problems increased rates for child injury during the preschool years and mid-childhood, and the extent to which associations could be accounted for by a range of potential explanatory factors.DesignWe analysed the UK Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative sample with data collected throughout childhood. Multinomial regression was used to investigate whether two measures of maternal mental health (diagnosed depression/anxiety and psychological distress) were associated with subsequent childhood injury. Models adjusted for sociodemographics, parenting and child externalising behaviours.Main outcome measureMaternal report of unintentional injuries (none, 1, 2+) recorded at three data collection periods (3–5 years; 5–7 years; 7–11 years).ResultsThe analytic sample comprised n=9240 families who participated 3–11 years with complete data on exposures and outcomes (multiply imputing missing covariates). Exposure to maternal mental health problems was associated with increased rates of subsequent childhood injuries. Associations attenuated after adjustment for potential explanatory factors, although they remained elevated. For example, high maternal distress was associated with injuries 3–5 years (adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR): 1 injury=1.18, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.61; 2+ injuries=2.22, 95% CI 1.22 to 4.02); injuries 5–7 years (aRRR: 1 injury=1.31, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.76; 2+ injuries=1.84, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.09); and injuries 7–11 years (aRRR: 1 injury=1.03, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.31; 2+ injuries=1.33, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.81).ConclusionsChildren exposed to mothers with mental health problems had higher rates of childhood injury than those not exposed. If further investigation of this association suggests causality then it will be important to test measures that address mothers’ mental health issues with a view to reducing injuries among their children.

Contribution of mental ill health during military service to postservice benefit claims in the UK

2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-107050
Author(s):  
Howard Burdett ◽  
Nicola T Fear ◽  
Simon Wessely ◽  
Neil Greenberg ◽  
Roberto J Rona
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
Population Attributable Fraction ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
The Uk

ObjectivesWhile most UK military personnel transition successfully into civilian life, some experience unemployment and disability, which may be partly attributable to in-service factors. This study aims to determine the degree to which in-service mental health problems impact on postservice benefit claims.MethodsUsing data from a cohort of 5598 recent leavers from regular service in the UK Armed Forces linked with data from the Department for Work and Pensions, we assessed associations between in-service mental health and postservice benefit claims, and the population attributable fraction (PAF) of benefit claims related to in-service mental health. An analysis with postservice mental ill health as mediator was performed to determine the degree to which the observed effects were a consequence of persistent illness, as opposed to remitted.ResultsMental illness occurring in-service predicted both unemployment and disability claims, partly mediated by postservice health (23%–52% total effects mediated), but alcohol misuse did not. Common mental disorder (CMD) (PAF 0.07, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.11) and probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (PAF 0.05, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.09) contributed to unemployment claims. Probable PTSD was the largest contributor to disability claims (PAF 0.25, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.36), with a smaller contribution from CMD (PAF 0.16, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.27).ConclusionsIn-service mental ill health gives rise to benefit claims. These effects are only partly mediated by postservice mental health, implying that in-service (or pre-service) mental issues have carry-over effects into civilian life even if remitted. Better prevention and treatment of in-service PTSD symptoms may well reduce postservice disability claims.

scholarly journals Mental health first aid for the UK Armed Forces

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane M Crone ◽  
Mustafa Sarkar ◽  
Thomas Curran ◽  
Colin M Baker ◽  
Denise Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Mental Health First Aid ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Education programmes in mental health literacy can address stigma and misunderstanding of mental health. This study investigated self-rated differences in knowledge, attitudes and confidence around mental health issues following participation in a bespoke Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course for the Armed Forces. The mixed methods approach comprised quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. A survey, administered immediately post-training (n = 602) and again at 10-months post-attendance (n = 120), asked participants to rate their knowledge, attitudes and confidence around mental health issues pre- and post-training. Quantitative findings revealed a significant increase in knowledge, positive attitudes and confidence from the post-training survey which was sustained at 10-months follow-up.Semi-structured telephone interviews (n = 13) were conducted at follow-up, 6-months post-attendance. Qualitative findings revealed that participation facilitated an ‘ambassador’ type role for participants. This study is the first to have investigated the effect of MHFA in an Armed Forces community. Findings show participants perceived the training to increase knowledge regarding mental health and to enhance confidence and aptitude for identifying and supporting people with mental health problems. Results suggest that such an intervention can provide support for personnel, veterans and their families, regarding mental health in Armed Forces communities.

Mental Health, Help-Seeking Behaviour and Social Support in the UK Armed Forces by Gender

Psychiatry ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Norman Jones ◽  
Neil Greenberg ◽  
Ava Phillips ◽  
Amos Simms ◽  
Simon Wessely
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals The injured mind in the UK Armed Forces

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1562) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Greenberg ◽  
E. Jones ◽  
N. Jones ◽  
N. T. Fear ◽  
S. Wessely
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Service Personnel ◽  
Psychological Injuries ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Effects Of War

The mental health of the UK Armed Forces is a topic much debated by healthcare professionals, politicians and the media. While the current operations in Afghanistan, and the recent conflict in Iraq, are relevant to this debate, much of what is known about the effects of war upon the psyche still derives from the two World Wars. This paper will examine the historical and contemporary evidence about why it is that some Service personnel suffer psychological injuries during their military service and others do not. The paper will also consider some of the strategies that today's Armed Forces have put in place to mitigate the effects of sending military personnel into danger.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document