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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/12/reservists-greater-burden-support-army
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| Army reservists' greater burden must come with greater support | Army reservists' greater burden must come with greater support |
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| The government plans to reduce the number of regulars in the British army to 82,000 by 2018 and increase the role played by reservists, bringing their numbers up to 30,000. As a result there is now a pressing need to seriously address the support requirements of reservists and their families – requirements which are unique to the nature of their service, combined with their civilian life. Furthermore, findings by the King's Centre for Military Health Research have indicated reservists are at greater risk of suffering from deployment-induced mental-health-related problems than regular soldiers. A 10-year study into the health and wellbeing of UK Gulf war veterans concluded that reservists were twice as likely to have symptoms of mental health problems as their counterparts who did not deploy (although it should be noted that rates are still relatively low, with 6% experiencing problems). | The government plans to reduce the number of regulars in the British army to 82,000 by 2018 and increase the role played by reservists, bringing their numbers up to 30,000. As a result there is now a pressing need to seriously address the support requirements of reservists and their families – requirements which are unique to the nature of their service, combined with their civilian life. Furthermore, findings by the King's Centre for Military Health Research have indicated reservists are at greater risk of suffering from deployment-induced mental-health-related problems than regular soldiers. A 10-year study into the health and wellbeing of UK Gulf war veterans concluded that reservists were twice as likely to have symptoms of mental health problems as their counterparts who did not deploy (although it should be noted that rates are still relatively low, with 6% experiencing problems). |
| The reasons behind this increased risk are not fully known but, given that the issue seems to result from the impact of deployment, the differences between support networks for regulars and reservists may provide an answer. Unlike their colleagues in the regular forces, Reservists do not have an extended period of time surrounded by their peers when they return home from duty, and often swiftly return to their civilian role, without the opportunity to share experiences with others who have served alongside them. These support networks are hugely important and the Royal British Legion and Combat Stress, alongside other armed forces charities, are working to minimise social isolation and improve integration between civilian and military life in the reservist community. | The reasons behind this increased risk are not fully known but, given that the issue seems to result from the impact of deployment, the differences between support networks for regulars and reservists may provide an answer. Unlike their colleagues in the regular forces, Reservists do not have an extended period of time surrounded by their peers when they return home from duty, and often swiftly return to their civilian role, without the opportunity to share experiences with others who have served alongside them. These support networks are hugely important and the Royal British Legion and Combat Stress, alongside other armed forces charities, are working to minimise social isolation and improve integration between civilian and military life in the reservist community. |
| As partners in the armed forces strategic health partnership, the Legion and Combat Stress recently submitted feedback to the government's consultation on future reserves, and urged it to pay greater attention to the health and wellbeing needs of reservists. We have expressed concerns about the relationship between defence medical services and the NHS, including where responsibility actually lies for reservists' healthcare and how patient information flows between the two organisations. | As partners in the armed forces strategic health partnership, the Legion and Combat Stress recently submitted feedback to the government's consultation on future reserves, and urged it to pay greater attention to the health and wellbeing needs of reservists. We have expressed concerns about the relationship between defence medical services and the NHS, including where responsibility actually lies for reservists' healthcare and how patient information flows between the two organisations. |
| Given the potential increased risk of mental health problems among reservists, we want to see an improved follow-up assessment process post-deployment and prior to a second deployment. We must work with the reservist community to raise awareness of mental health conditions and reduce the stigma associated with admitting to mental health issues, which some reservists may believe will lead to them being declared non-deployable. | Given the potential increased risk of mental health problems among reservists, we want to see an improved follow-up assessment process post-deployment and prior to a second deployment. We must work with the reservist community to raise awareness of mental health conditions and reduce the stigma associated with admitting to mental health issues, which some reservists may believe will lead to them being declared non-deployable. |
| It was not just reservists themselves but also their families that formed an important part of our feedback to the consultation. Owing to the geographical spread of reservist families, they are less likely than families from the regular forces to be in military communities where there will be a shared understanding of the issues faced as part of military life. The Legion is currently changing the way it works to meet needs such as these by improving outreach services and ensuring there are support hubs in communities where they are needed most. | It was not just reservists themselves but also their families that formed an important part of our feedback to the consultation. Owing to the geographical spread of reservist families, they are less likely than families from the regular forces to be in military communities where there will be a shared understanding of the issues faced as part of military life. The Legion is currently changing the way it works to meet needs such as these by improving outreach services and ensuring there are support hubs in communities where they are needed most. |
| We are preparing ourselves to meet the future needs of our changing armed forces, and we also call on the government to ensure they get the focus of their preparations right. We are very clear that now is the time to develop resources and plans targeted to the specific support needs of reservists, and we suggest that communities and health services that have increased numbers of reservists to support must receive more funds. We await the outcome of the Future Reserves 2020 consultation, expected this spring, and hope the government has listened and responded to the concerns raised by the Legion, Combat Stress and our partners in the strategic health partnership. | We are preparing ourselves to meet the future needs of our changing armed forces, and we also call on the government to ensure they get the focus of their preparations right. We are very clear that now is the time to develop resources and plans targeted to the specific support needs of reservists, and we suggest that communities and health services that have increased numbers of reservists to support must receive more funds. We await the outcome of the Future Reserves 2020 consultation, expected this spring, and hope the government has listened and responded to the concerns raised by the Legion, Combat Stress and our partners in the strategic health partnership. |
| • Chris Simpkins is director general of the Royal British Legion. Andrew Cameron is chief executive of Combat Stress | • Chris Simpkins is director general of the Royal British Legion. Andrew Cameron is chief executive of Combat Stress |
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