Pathways into mental health care for UK veterans: a qualitative study

Mellotte, Harriet; Murphy, Dominic; Rafferty, Laura; Greenberg, Neil

doi:10.1080/20008198.2017.1389207

Cited by 39 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Although it is clearly important for symptomatic military personnel to receive mental health care, there was some evidence that seeking help from formal medical sources was significantly associated with lifetime SA. It is unlikely that formal medical help‐seeking caused suicidality; however, UK military veterans are known to present for help at times of crisis (Mellotte, Murphy, Rafferty, & Greenberg, ) which could easily have included an episode of SH or SA.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicidal Ideation, Suicidal Attempts, and Self‐Harm in the UK Armed Forces

Jones

Sharp

Phillips

et al. 2019

Suicide & Life Threat Behav

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Introduction In the UK military, suicide is infrequent and studies of self‐harm behavior in this population are rare. Objectives To compare lifetime self‐harm rates estimated on three occasions between 2004 and 2016 and to explore the associates of lifetime self‐harm. Method Three phases of a UK AF cohort study (n = 10,272, 9,990, and 8,581, respectively) provided data. Telephone interviews assessed associates of self‐harm among cohort members who reported subjective mental health problems in the past 3 years (n = 1,448). Validated measures of mental health and related stigmatization, social support, and help‐seeking were obtained. Results Lifetime self‐harm increased significantly (p < .001) from 1.8% among serving personnel and 3.8% among veterans in 2004/06 to 1.9% and 4.5% in 2007/09 and to 4.2% and 6.6% in 2014/16 in the two groups, respectively. Veterans were consistently significantly more likely to report lifetime self‐harm than serving personnel. Significant determinants of lifetime self‐harm included current mental disorder symptoms, stigmatization, poor social support, suicidal ideation, and seeking help from formal medical sources. Conclusion Self‐harm has increased over time in the UK serving and veteran community. Suicide prevention should focus on ameliorating mental disorder by encouraging engagement with health care, reducing negative views of mental illness, and fostering social support.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicidal Ideation, Suicidal Attempts, and Self‐Harm in the UK Armed Forces

Jones

Sharp

Phillips

et al. 2019

Suicide & Life Threat Behav

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“…Research indicated that the veterans' willingness to access these primary care services might be problematic (Mellotte et al, 2017;Jones et al, 2015;Iversen et al, 2011). This is the case as psychological health problems were found to remain subject to stigmatization, though not a to static stigmatization .…”

Section: Veterans' Psychological Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies indicated that the barrier of stigmatization in help-seeking behavior might be overcome by "initial enablers" that included social support, motivation, and the media (Mellotte et al, 2017;Iversen et al, 2011). "Treatment pathway enablers" were found to help overcoming the second, more practical barrier of help-seeking behavior by facilitating access to a veteran-specific service and establishing a good therapeutic relationship after having been diagnosed with a mental health problem (cf.…”

Section: Veterans' Psychological Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Stigmatized Hero? A Review of UK Opinion Polls and Surveys on Perceptions of British Veterans in UK Society

Phillips

2020

JVS

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Findings from representative opinion polls and surveys provide information on pertinent perceptions of veterans in British society. The present project compares these findings and contrast publicly pertinent perceptions of veterans with factually correct information. This allows researchers to determine erroneous and stereotyped perceptions of veterans that may be held by members of the British society. The present project reviewed 41 veteran-related question-items from 11 surveys/polls and grouped these question items into the categories 1) employment situation, 2) housing situation, 3) skills and experiences, 4) physical/psychological well-being, and, 5) addictions and antisocial behaviour. The comparison with factually correct information indicates that the majority of the respondents held a set of negative and erroneous stereotypes against veterans. As negative and erroneous stereotypes may hinder a successful transition into civilian society, future research should explore how these stereotypes may form.

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“…A qualitative study by Mellotte et al, using semi-structured interviews amongst UK veterans who sought mental help, reported they initially refrained from seeking help because of self-sigma and possible public stigma. They commonly waited until a point of crisis was reached before reaching out for help (7). A survey conducted amongst military clinicians by Wilk et al showed that in 41% of cases where PTSD was diagnosed clinically, clinicians did not report the formal diagnosis including a code in the military health record.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This was mostly motivated by perceived stigma and possible consequences for the career prospects of the militaries (8). Social support, internal motivation, and media attention were identified as factors to support the decision in seeking help in US militaries (7). Access to mental health care in a proximate facility is another contributing factor (9).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%