Providing adequate support and health care for the UK's armed forces should be an important concern for the country's next government in whatever form it takes. In a study published online and in an upcoming issue of The Lancet, Nicola Fear and colleagues examine the effect of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan on the mental health of military personnel from 2003 to 2009.
The study provides a follow-up to the group's 2006 Lancet papers, which assessed the health of armed forces deployed in Iraq from 2003 to 2005. The investigators show that the most common mental health problems reported by personnel continue to be alcohol misuse and common mental health disorders, rather than probable post-traumatic stress disorder. And, overall, the prevalence of mental health disorders in the UK armed forces remains stable.
The study provides a follow-up to the group's 2006 Lancet papers, which assessed the health of armed forces deployed in Iraq from 2003 to 2005. The investigators show that the most common mental health problems reported by personnel continue to be alcohol misuse and common mental health disorders, rather than probable post-traumatic stress disorder. And, overall, the prevalence of mental health disorders in the UK armed forces remains stable.
There are several important messages arising from these results. First, contrary to reports in the mainstream media, there is not an epidemic of mental health problems in this group of service personnel.
Second, hazardous drinking, both before and after deployment, continues to be a serious problem for regular service men and women. This group is at increased risk of the social complications of excessive drinking such as violence and relationship breakdowns. Although having introduced some alcohol-control policies, the armed forces need to reassess whether these are rigorous enough. . . . . . .
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