This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6927659.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| 'Stress risk' for British troops | 'Stress risk' for British troops |
| (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 'The Army ignored my illness' | 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 Army ignored my illness' |
| 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. | 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." | 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 |
| Royal British Legion welfare director Sue Freeth told the BBC's Breakfast programme mental health problems in veterans often remained hidden until they had left the services. | Royal British Legion welfare director Sue Freeth told the BBC's Breakfast programme mental health problems in veterans often remained hidden until they had left the services. |
| She added: "Often they wait too late for help, so then they may be in other circumstances - their family has broken up, they've lost their home, they may have lost their first job." | She added: "Often they wait too late for help, so then they may be in other circumstances - their family has broken up, they've lost their home, they may have lost their first job." |
| 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 stressed these rates were very low, but welcomed the new research, which he hoped could help bring them down further. | Under-secretary of state for defence Derek Twigg stressed these rates were very low, but welcomed the new research, which he hoped could help bring them down further. |
| He added: "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. | He added: "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. |
| Liam Fox, Shadow Defence Secretary, said the Armed Forces were being asked to do too much with too little resource. | |
| He added: "Military psychiatry has been run-down by Labour and farmed out to private contractors. | |
| "Unsurprisingly big gaps have opened up, particularly in relation to the Territorial Army and veterans who may become unwell as a result of their service years after leaving the Forces." | |
| Are you a current or former member of the armed forces? Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments and experiences by filling out the form below. | Are you a current or former member of the armed forces? Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments and experiences by filling out the form below. |