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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| British troops 'are stressed out' | British troops 'are stressed out' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Prolonged periods of service in Iraq and Afghanistan are putting the armed forces at risk of psychological problems, UK research has suggested. | Prolonged periods of service in Iraq and Afghanistan are putting the armed forces at risk of psychological problems, UK research has suggested. |
| A study of 5,500 regular troops found that about 20% were on tour for longer than recommended. | A study of 5,500 regular troops found that about 20% were on tour for longer than recommended. |
| And long deployments were found to be associated with an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the British Medical Journal reported. | And long deployments were found to be associated with an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the British Medical Journal reported. |
| The Ministry of Defence said rates of mental illness among troops were low. | The Ministry of Defence said rates of mental illness among troops were low. |
| "Harmony guidelines" were introduced by the armed forces to make clear the maximum time service personnel should spend away from their families and how long units should rest between operations. | "Harmony guidelines" were introduced by the armed forces to make clear the maximum time service personnel should spend away from their families and how long units should rest between operations. |
| The recommendations are also used to monitor when troops are overstretched. | The recommendations are also used to monitor when troops are overstretched. |
| Health problems | Health problems |
| A team at King's College London looked at the effects of the number and lengths of deployment in a random sample of military personnel sent on operations. | A team at King's College London looked at the effects of the number and lengths of deployment in a random sample of military personnel sent on operations. |
| They calculated that those deployed for 13 months or more in a three-year period - over the recommended amount - were 20-50% more likely to have symptoms of PTSD. | They calculated that those deployed for 13 months or more in a three-year period - over the recommended amount - were 20-50% more likely to have symptoms of PTSD. |
| General health and severe alcohol problems were also associated with long periods in a war zone. | General health and severe alcohol problems were also associated with long periods in a war zone. |
| And "overstretched" troops were also more likely to have problems at home during and after active service. | And "overstretched" troops were also more likely to have problems at home during and after active service. |
| We are studying the research to see how we can reduce even further the number of troops who suffer from mental illness Derek Twigg, under secretary of state for defence | We are studying the research to see how we can reduce even further the number of troops who suffer from mental illness Derek Twigg, under secretary of state for defence |
| The findings were particularly apparent in personnel with direct combat exposure. | The findings were particularly apparent in personnel with direct combat exposure. |
| A mismatch between the expected length of deployment and the reality was also associated with higher risk of PTSD. | A mismatch between the expected length of deployment and the reality was also associated with higher risk of PTSD. |
| Around one in 10 who took part in the research said they had been away longer than they expected. | Around one in 10 who took part in the research said they had been away longer than they expected. |
| Professor Roberto Rona, an expert in public health and study leader said: "The prevalence of all psychological symptoms was higher among those deployed for 13 months or more. | Professor Roberto Rona, an expert in public health and study leader said: "The prevalence of all psychological symptoms was higher among those deployed for 13 months or more. |
| "Our results indicate that adherence to a clear and explicit policy on duration of each deployment may have beneficial effects on mental health." | "Our results indicate that adherence to a clear and explicit policy on duration of each deployment may have beneficial effects on mental health." |
| Matthew Hotopf, professor of general hospital psychiatry at Kings College London, said the impact of deployments longer than a year was significant. | |
| He added: "If you go above that cut-off point you see an increase in things like PTSD, anxiety and alcohol problems." | |
| Raising awareness | Raising awareness |
| Ministry of Defence figures show the number of new cases of mental disorders, of all types and regardless of cause, in the first quarter of this year was 0.58% and the rate of new cases of PTSD was 0.03%. | Ministry of Defence figures show the number of new cases of mental disorders, of all types and regardless of cause, in the first quarter of this year was 0.58% and the rate of new cases of PTSD was 0.03%. |
| Under-secretary of state for defence Derek Twigg said: "We recognise mental illness as a serious and disabling condition and we want to ensure that our people have the best possible mental health support. | Under-secretary of state for defence Derek Twigg said: "We recognise mental illness as a serious and disabling condition and we want to ensure that our people have the best possible mental health support. |
| "We have taken great steps to raise awareness and to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. | "We have taken great steps to raise awareness and to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. |
| "These include pre-and post-deployment briefing and the availability of support, assessment and, if required, treatment - both during and after deployments. | "These include pre-and post-deployment briefing and the availability of support, assessment and, if required, treatment - both during and after deployments. |
| "We are studying the research to see how we can reduce even further the number of troops who suffer from mental illness." | "We are studying the research to see how we can reduce even further the number of troops who suffer from mental illness." |
| He added that troops were stretched but not overstretched and the vast majority are on operations for no longer than six to seven months. | He added that troops were stretched but not overstretched and the vast majority are on operations for no longer than six to seven months. |