BBC World News – 2007-08-08 22:55:24
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6927659.stm
LONDON (August 3, 2007) — 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 around 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.
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.
The recommendations are also used to monitor when troops are overstretched.
HealthProblems
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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%.
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.
“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.”
He added that troops were stretched but not overstretched and the vast majority are on operations for no longer than six to seven months.
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