One in five soldiers 'mentally distressed'

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One in five soldiers 'mentally distressed'

By Rebecca Smith and Thomas Harding
Last Updated: 1:42am BST 03/08/2007

Frontline: Reports about our troops at home and at war

Soldiers are suffering post-traumatic stress and turning to alcohol because the Armed Forces are so overstretched, doctors warned yesterday.
Researchers at King's College London found a quarter of troops deployed for more than 13 months in the past three years, in breach of guidelines, had severe drink problems and a fifth suffered psychological distress.

Those on duty for longer than they expected were twice as likely to suffer symptoms than those who came home on time, the study of 5,547 regular personnel found.Defence chiefs have admitted that "harmony" guidelines, particularly in the infantry, artillery and cavalry, are constantly breached as the Forces try to cover commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Regiments are meant to have 24 months' rest between tours, but some are on the front line much longer. As a result, senior NCOs and officers are leaving the Forces.
The research, published in the British Medical Journal, also found more than a fifth of those on deployment for more than 13 months reported domestic problems.
In the paper Roberto Rona, professor of public health, said: "Many problems bottled-up during a long period of deployment may come to light on returning home". The longer a soldier was deployed, he warned, the greater the risk of alcohol misuse.
The report concluded: "Overstretch in the UK Armed Forces may have consequences on problems at home, and deterioration of psychological health may be more apparent in those directly exposed to combat."

Derek Twigg, the veterans' minister, said: "We have always been open that we have a high operational tempo, but as the Chief of Defence Staff has said, we are stretched but not overstretched.

"The vast majority of troops do not have their tours extended and are on operations for no longer than six to seven months.
"Our latest figures show that less than one per cent of Royal Navy, 12 per cent of Army and six per cent of RAF personnel are exceeding the individual service's harmony guidelines."

The MoD has 15 community mental health teams, in Britain and overseas, and personnel needing hospital admissions are treated by the private Priory Group.
Around 5,000 personnel remain in Iraq and almost 8,000 in Afghanistan.

One in five soldiers \'mentally distressed\' - Telegraph