This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30916670
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Anxiety and depression twice as prevalent in military - study says | Anxiety and depression twice as prevalent in military - study says |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Members of the UK armed forces are twice as likely to develop depression or anxiety than members of the general working population, a study suggests. | Members of the UK armed forces are twice as likely to develop depression or anxiety than members of the general working population, a study suggests. |
The King's College London research compared surveys from 7,000 military personnel with people in other jobs. | The King's College London research compared surveys from 7,000 military personnel with people in other jobs. |
It found 18% of men and 25% of women in the forces reported symptoms of common mental disorders, compared with 8% of men and 12% of women in other areas. | It found 18% of men and 25% of women in the forces reported symptoms of common mental disorders, compared with 8% of men and 12% of women in other areas. |
The MoD said it had improved mental health services for the military. | The MoD said it had improved mental health services for the military. |
The researchers said the study, published in Psychological Medicine, was fairer then previous studies which included results from unemployed people and those with long-term health problems and disabilities - who researchers said were more likely to report symptoms of mental illness. | The researchers said the study, published in Psychological Medicine, was fairer then previous studies which included results from unemployed people and those with long-term health problems and disabilities - who researchers said were more likely to report symptoms of mental illness. |
The findings could be explained by the frequency and intensity of stressful events experienced by those in the military, researchers said. | The findings could be explained by the frequency and intensity of stressful events experienced by those in the military, researchers said. |
Military life also required extended periods spent away from family and friends, they added. | Military life also required extended periods spent away from family and friends, they added. |
The survey included questions such as whether the subject felt they were "playing a useful part in things". | The survey included questions such as whether the subject felt they were "playing a useful part in things". |
Respondents from the military were almost three times more likely to disagree with this statement than those from the general population, the study found. | Respondents from the military were almost three times more likely to disagree with this statement than those from the general population, the study found. |
Treatment needed | Treatment needed |
Lead author Dr Laura Goodwin said: "The findings were not what we expected. We didn't think there would be such a difference between members of the military and the rest of the general population. | Lead author Dr Laura Goodwin said: "The findings were not what we expected. We didn't think there would be such a difference between members of the military and the rest of the general population. |
"We know that other studies which recruit people just because they are in a particular occupation, such as teaching or social work, also find higher reports of anxiety and depression." | "We know that other studies which recruit people just because they are in a particular occupation, such as teaching or social work, also find higher reports of anxiety and depression." |
Prof Nicola Fear, from the King's Centre for Military Health Research, said: "This [report] highlights that symptoms of depression and anxiety are common in the armed forces. In fact, they are more common than alcohol misuse or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). | Prof Nicola Fear, from the King's Centre for Military Health Research, said: "This [report] highlights that symptoms of depression and anxiety are common in the armed forces. In fact, they are more common than alcohol misuse or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
"The findings draw attention to the need for Defence Medical Services to continue to focus on identifying and treating depression and anxiety in addition to PTSD." | "The findings draw attention to the need for Defence Medical Services to continue to focus on identifying and treating depression and anxiety in addition to PTSD." |
Elsewhere, mental health charity, Combat Stress, said there had been a significant increase in the number of UK veterans of the Afghanistan conflict seeking help. It said it had received 358 new veteran referrals in 2013, a 57% rise on 2012. | Elsewhere, mental health charity, Combat Stress, said there had been a significant increase in the number of UK veterans of the Afghanistan conflict seeking help. It said it had received 358 new veteran referrals in 2013, a 57% rise on 2012. |
'Support available' | 'Support available' |
The Ministry of Defence said it took the the mental health and wellbeing of personnel very seriously. | The Ministry of Defence said it took the the mental health and wellbeing of personnel very seriously. |
A spokeswoman said: "The government has long recognised that service life can cause stress. | A spokeswoman said: "The government has long recognised that service life can cause stress. |
"Since 2008, the last data used in this study, the MoD has made a number of improvements to the mental health services available to the armed forces. | "Since 2008, the last data used in this study, the MoD has made a number of improvements to the mental health services available to the armed forces. |
"These include pre and post-operational stress management briefings, decompression, Trauma Risk Management, and the Big White Wall online wellbeing service. | "These include pre and post-operational stress management briefings, decompression, Trauma Risk Management, and the Big White Wall online wellbeing service. |
"In addition, the MoD has introduced several anti-stigma campaigns to encourage serving personnel who need help to come forward to access the wide range of support that is available." | "In addition, the MoD has introduced several anti-stigma campaigns to encourage serving personnel who need help to come forward to access the wide range of support that is available." |
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with any information. Please leave a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist. | |
Have your say |