Ex-service personnel are also vulnerable to social exclusion and homelessness, both of which are risk factors for mental ill health. Younger veterans are at high risk of suicide in the first two years after leaving service. VeteransвЂ™ mental health problems may be made worse or caused by post-service factors, such as the difficulty in making the transition to civilian life, marital problems, and loss of family and social support networks. What is known is that only half of those experiencing mental health problems sought help from the NHS, and those that did were rarely referred to specialist mental health services. Until recently, little was known about these veterans. However some veterans develop mental health problems after leaving service, many of whom will be experiencing PTSD. Only around 0.1% of regular service personnel are discharged annually for mental health reasons. When staff leave HM Forces, their healthcare transfers from the military to the NHS. There are an estimated 5 million veterans in the UK, and a further 20,000 personnel leave the forces each year. What are the consequences of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the mental health of the UK armed forces? A cohort study. experience of mental health problems was not linked with number of deployments.ДЇear NT, Jones M, Murphy D et al (2010).regular personnel in combat roles were more likely than were those in support roles to report probable post-traumatic stress disorder.

reservists were more likely to report probable post-traumatic stress disorder than those not deployed.

regulars deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan were significantly more likely to report alcohol misuse than those not deployed.

19.7% reported other common mental disorders.

4% reported probable post-traumatic stress disorder.

In particular, levels of alcohol misuse overall were substantially higher than in the general population. Common mental disorders and alcohol misuse were the most frequently reported mental health problems among UK armed forces personnel. A very recent study of 10,000 serving personnel (83% regulars 27% reservists) found lower than expected levels of PTSD. What are the risks for people in service?ДЄ number of UK studies have found links between active service and mental health problems in armed service personnel involved in recent conflicts. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and substance abuse affect a significant minority of service personnel and veterans.

The mental health problems experienced by military personnel are the same as the general population, although experiences during service and the transition to civilian life mean that their mental ill health may be triggered by different factors.

However they face unique risks in service and, if they do experience mental health problems, they may require particular treatments and particular mental health services. Most British military personnel do not experience mental health problems while they are in service, or afterwards in civilian life.

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