Mental health and psychological support in UK armed forces
                        personnel deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011

Jones, Norman; Mitchell, P. M.; Clack, John; Fertout, Mohammed; Fear, Nicola T.; Wessely, Simon; Greenberg, Neil

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.113.131433

Cited by 22 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…While no benefits were seen in the present study for the small minority that received such training predeployment, other observational3 11 and randomised controlled trial12 data support beneficial effects. Those who feel better prepared for their deployment are less likely to have postdeployment PTSD,7 pointing to the possible protective effects of effective and realistic predeployment training.…”

contrasting

confidence: 80%

Potentially modifiable risk factors for mental health problems in deployed UK maritime forces

Boulos

Zamorski

2015

Occup Environ Med

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contrasting

confidence: 80%

Potentially modifiable risk factors for mental health problems in deployed UK maritime forces

Boulos

Zamorski

2015

Occup Environ Med

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“…Psychoeducation, which refers to the education offered to individuals with a mental health condition and their families to help empower them and deal with their condition in an optimal way, has been shown to be of benefit in the treatment of many mental conditions [ 9 ]. Although there are no precedents for the use of psychoeducation following animal bites, there is evidence for the usefulness of psychoeducation following traumatic situations [ 10 ]. Trauma based cognitive behavioural therapy is also recommended in the treatment of mental illness following stressful life events [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Intervention for Delayed Psychological Effects in Snakebite Victims

et al. 2015

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BackgroundSnakebite results in delayed psychological morbidity and negative psycho-social impact. However, psychological support is rarely provided to victims.AimTo assess the effectiveness of a brief intervention which can be provided by non-specialist doctors aimed at reducing psychological morbidity following snakebite envenoming.MethodIn a single blind, randomized controlled trial, snakebite victims with systemic envenoming [n = 225, 168 males, mean age 42.1 (SD 12.4) years] were randomized into three arms. One arm received no intervention (n = 68, Group A), the second received psychological first aid and psychoeducation (dispelling prevalent cultural beliefs related to snakebite which promote development of a sick role) at discharge from hospital (n = 65, Group B), while the third received psychological first aid and psychoeducation at discharge and a second intervention one month later based on cognitive behavioural principles (n = 69, Group C). All patients were assessed six months after hospital discharge for the presence of psychological symptoms and level of functioning using standardized tools.ResultsAt six months, there was a decreasing trend in the proportion of patients who were positive for psychiatric symptoms of depression and anxiety from Group A through Group B to Group C (Chi square test for trend = 7.901, p = 0.005). This was mainly due to a decreasing trend for symptoms of anxiety (chi-square for trend = 11.256, p = 0.001). There was also decreasing trend in the overall prevalence of disability from Group A through Group B to Group C (chi square for trend = 7.551, p = 0.006), predominantly in relation to disability in family life (p = 0.006) and social life (p = 0.005). However, there was no difference in the proportion of patients diagnosed with depression between the three groups (chi square for trend = 0.391, p = 0.532), and the intervention also had no effect on post-traumatic stress disorder.ConclusionsA brief psychological intervention, which included psychological first aid and psychoeducation plus cognitive behavioural therapy that can be provided by non-specialist doctors appeared to reduce psychiatric symptoms and disability after snakebite envenoming, but not depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.Trial RegistrationSri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry: SLCTR/2011/003

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“…Fear of being viewed as potentially weak or personally diminished by commanders does not concord with these values. The potentiating effect of psychological symptoms upon stigma has been noted in previous research39 though little information is available concerning the process by which this occurs. Our results may suggest a possible explanation, whereby individuals are conflicted by the drive to overcome mental health symptoms, perhaps by requesting help from others, while attempting to fulfil the requirement of military core values and standards.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Mental health stigmatisation in deployed UK Armed Forces: a principal components analysis

et al. 2015

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Potential loss of credibility and trust appeared to be associated with help-seeking for medical reasons but not for help-seeking for subjective psychosocial problems. Those experiencing psychological symptoms appeared to minimise the effects of stigma by seeking out a socially acceptable route into care, such as the medical consultation, whereas those who experienced a subjective mental health problem appeared willing to seek help from any source.

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Mental health and psychological support in UK armed forces personnel deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011

Abstract: Over a period of 18 months, deployment mental health symptoms in UK armed forces personnel were fewer than those obtained from a military population sample despite continuing deployment in a high-threat context and were associated with perceptions of support.

Cited by 22 publications

References 23 publications

Potentially modifiable risk factors for mental health problems in deployed UK maritime forces

Potentially modifiable risk factors for mental health problems in deployed UK maritime forces

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Intervention for Delayed Psychological Effects in Snakebite Victims

Mental health stigmatisation in deployed UK Armed Forces: a principal components analysis

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