Norman Jones1, Paul Mitchell, John Clack, Mohammed Fertout, Nicola T Fear, Simon Wessely, Neil Greenberg. 1. Norman Jones, MSc, Paul Mitchell, MSc, John Clack, MSc, Mohammed Fertout, MSc, Nicola T. Fear, DPhil(Oxon), Simon Wessely, FMedSci, Neil Greenberg, MD, King's Centre for Military Health and Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, Academic Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Most accounts of deployment mental health in UK armed forces personnel rely on retrospective assessments. AIMS: We present data relating to the burden of mental ill health and the effect of support measures including operational, family, welfare and medical support obtained on two occasions some 18 months apart. METHOD: A total of 2794 personnel completed a survey while deployed to Afghanistan; 1363 in 2011 and 1431 in 2010. Their responses were compared and contrasted. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-report mental health disorder was low and not significantly different between the surveys; the rates of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 2.8% in 2010 and 1.8% in 2011; for common mental health disorders the rates were 17.0% and 16.0% respectively. Remembering receiving predeployment psychoeducation, perceptions of good leadership and good family support were all significantly associated with better mental health. Seeking support from non-medical sources and reporting sick for medical reasons were both significantly associated with poorer mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Over a period of 18 months, deployment mental health symptoms in UK armed forces personnel were fewer than those obtained from a military population sample despite continuing deployment in a high-threat context and were associated with perceptions of support.
BACKGROUND: Most accounts of deployment mental health in UK armed forces personnel rely on retrospective assessments. AIMS: We present data relating to the burden of mental ill health and the effect of support measures including operational, family, welfare and medical support obtained on two occasions some 18 months apart. METHOD: A total of 2794 personnel completed a survey while deployed to Afghanistan; 1363 in 2011 and 1431 in 2010. Their responses were compared and contrasted. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-report mental health disorder was low and not significantly different between the surveys; the rates of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 2.8% in 2010 and 1.8% in 2011; for common mental health disorders the rates were 17.0% and 16.0% respectively. Remembering receiving predeployment psychoeducation, perceptions of good leadership and good family support were all significantly associated with better mental health. Seeking support from non-medical sources and reporting sick for medical reasons were both significantly associated with poorer mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Over a period of 18 months, deployment mental health symptoms in UK armed forces personnel were fewer than those obtained from a military population sample despite continuing deployment in a high-threat context and were associated with perceptions of support.
Authors: Chamara A Wijesinghe; Shehan S Williams; Anuradhani Kasturiratne; Nishantha Dolawaththa; Piyal Wimalaratne; Buddhika Wijewickrema; Shaluka F Jayamanne; Geoffrey K Isbister; Andrew H Dawson; David G Lalloo; H Janaka de Silva Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2015-08-11
Authors: Dean Whybrow; Norman Jones; Charlotte Evans; Darren Minshall; Darren Smith; Neil Greenberg Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2015-08-11 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Roberto J Rona; Howard Burdett; Samantha Bull; Margaret Jones; Norman Jones; Neil Greenberg; Simon Wessely; Nicola T Fear Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2016-09-22 Impact factor: 3.630