16.2 | Support for injured Service Personnel and veterans

• Alcohol misuse was a common problem among Regular Personnel deployed

to Iraq and Afghanistan. In the first phase of the King’s Centre study (2003

to 2006), only “combat troops” were found to have a higher prevalence of

alcohol misuse following deployment to Iraq. Later analyses showed a higher

prevalence of alcohol misuse among all Regular Personnel who were deployed

to Iraq or Afghanistan, regardless of their role on deployment.

• “Combat troops” deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan showed a small but significant

increase in the risk of symptoms of PTSD compared with non-combat troops.

Approximately 7 percent of combat troops had symptoms of PTSD following

deployment.

• Reservists deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan were at a higher risk of reporting

symptoms of PTSD, when compared with Reservists not deployed to Iraq or

Afghanistan. The King’s Centre commented that many factors could contribute to

the excess of mental ill-health observed in deployed Reservists, including their

relative inexperience of combat operations, lower unit cohesion, and problems in

the home and work environment during or after deployment. The King’s Centre

also commented that despite the introduction of measures focused on helping

Reservists (including the RMHP and better support for Reservists’ families),

the excess of mental health problems (specifically PTSD) observed among

Reservists deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan was “disappointingly persistent”.

• Multiple deployments were not consistently associated with an increased risk of

mental health problems. However, the cumulative duration of deployments did

affect mental health; if troops deployed for more than 13 months over a three-

year period they were at increased risk of mental health problems, particularly

an increased risk of PTSD symptoms. The King’s Centre commented that the

finding supported the MOD’s Harmony Guidelines for Army Personnel. Ensuring

that the Guidelines were not exceeded could help to reduce the risk of mental

health problems in the UK’s Regular forces.

• Regular Personnel were at increased risk of alcohol misuse and PTSD

symptoms where the tour length was extended during the deployment itself.100

141. The King’s Centre concluded:

“Despite extended campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, the prevalence of mental

disorders in the UK’s Armed Forces remains low. PTSD is in fact an issue for a

relatively small proportion of military personnel. Of particular concern, however, are

the high levels of alcohol misuse in Regulars, the mental health of combat troops

and also the mental health of Reservists. These three issues require attention over

the coming years.”

100 Forbes et al. The Mental Health of UK Armed Forces Personnel: The Impact of Iraq and Afghanistan.

RUSI Journal, 156: 14-20 (2011).

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