Mental health problems on rise in Forces
Diagnoses double among veterans and personnel
THE NUMBER of veterans and Armed Forces personnel seeking help for mental health problems has almost doubled over the past 10 years – and many are waiting too long to get NHS treatment.
The warning has made in a report by MPs which calls on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to do more to make sure former soldiers are not “falling through the gaps” in NHS care.
The House of Commons Defence Committee found particularly high levels of mental health issues among those who served in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Official figures showed that overall, 3.1 per cent of serving personnel are diagnosed with mental health conditions, twice the proportion seen in 2008-09.
But the committee said the number with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression could be three times higher, at about 10 per cent, and some may not seek help because of stigma surrounding mental health.
Defence Committee member Ruth Smeeth MP said: “If they are already receiving support for mental health issues while serving, they must receive what they need as they move into NHS care.
“Yet, clearly, some leavers are falling through the gaps and the MoD needs to do much better in working with health economies across the UK to stop this from happening.”
The report found that “it is still taking too long for veterans to access treatment when they need it, and levels of care vary across the UK”. Deployment to combat in Iraq or Afghanistan “increased the likelihood” of mental health conditions. A 2014 study found PTSD levels of 6.9 per cent among regular troops and six per cent among reservists.
Other groups more vulnerable to mental health problems included female personnel, those who leave the service early and those recruited below the age of 18. The report warns of veterans facing increased stigma because of “distorted” public perceptions.
The committee said it was “harmful” to think that most are damaged by their experience, saying the vast majority leave with no mental health problems. It said too much attention may be being paid to PTSD when conditions like depression are more common.
The report raised concerns over the recording of veteran suicides. Evidence suggests the rate is no higher than among the general population, but the MoD should ensure that military service is recorded as part of inquests, said the MPs.
Carol Smith, of the charity Combat Stress, said it had seen a 97 per cent increase in the number of veterans seeking help, particularly from those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The MOD is working to raise awareness for mental health issues within the Armed Forces community. Our Defence People Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy is aimed at tackling the stigma around mental illness.”
THE GOVERNMENT’S duty of care to the Armed Forces extends beyond this week’s pay increase. It also includes pastoral responsibilities which are becoming more apparent as awareness grows about the plight of military veterans as they come to terms with conditions like PTSD – posttraumatic stress disorder – and other mental health issues.
For many, it is the toughest battle, one which they previously fought in solitary isolation, before notable individuals like Princes William and Harry shone a light on this issue and encouraged sufferers to come to term with their demons rather than suffer in silence. Now there’s an expectation that the Ministry of Defence – and military charities – will provide the requisite support.
However, today’s report by the Defence Select Committee makes sobering reading a week after The Yorkshire Post – and its sister titles – highlighted a worrying increase in the number of former soldiers appearing to commit suicide, taking their own lives as they struggle to make the transition to civilian life. It says that it is still taking “too long” for veterans to access treatment, with some falling through the gaps and availability of care varying in different parts of the UK.
This is unacceptable. Despite Theresa May repeatedly pledging to prioritise the treatment of mental illnesses, too much is being left to chance as young soldiers who fought with distinction and honour in Iraq and Afghanistan come to terms with the scars of battle. They went to war on this country’s behalf. The least they deserve in return is the support outlined by MPs and others.