The new study, which follows on from similar reports
conducted after the Falklands War and the First Gulf War,
will investigate cause of death, including rates of
suicide, for all personnel who deployed to conflicts in
Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014. This will cover
personnel who are still in service, and those who have now
transitioned into civilian life.
While rates of mental disorder are lower in the military
(3.1%) than the general population (4.5%), the MOD
routinely carries out research into those who have served
on large scale combat operations, in order to more
accurately assess the effects of deployment.
Previous studies into mortality rates of those who served
during the 1982 Falklands 1982 Falklands and 1990/91 Gulf
conflicts found that they were no more likely to take their
lives than the wider population, while rates of suicide
within the military remain low.
This latest research will be conducted in collaboration
with NHS Digital, and will match the MOD’s service database
with corresponding NHS records in order to track causes of
death. It will compare findings with the general
population, as well as all personnel who served during the
same period outside Iraq or Afghanistan.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans said:
Our Armed Forces do a magnificent job, and we owe a huge
debt of gratitude to each man and woman who has laid
their life on the line to keep our country safe.
Most transition successfully into civilian life once they
have put away their uniforms, but we cannot afford to be
complacent. Mental health problems can affect us all, and
the wellbeing of our people remains a top priority.
By conducting this vital new study, we are furthering our
understanding of the wellbeing of our people so we can
continue to provide the best possible care to all who
have served.
The study will work alongside the ongoing research by
King’s Centre for Military Health Research and Imperial
College in order build as detailed a profile as possible of
those who served on these operations.
The MOD’s Defence People Mental Health and Wellbeing
Strategy is working to challenge the stigma surrounding
mental health issues, to ensure that all who serve, and
have served, can enjoy a state of positive physical and
mental health. It aims to offer the tools and support
necessary for each of the Armed Forces’ men and women to
lead a long and healthy life, during their service, and
following their transition back into the civilian
community.
The MOD has committed to spending £22 million a year on
mental health, and has set up two 24/7 helplines for
serving personnel and veterans, so that there is always
somewhere to turn in times of crisis. This year, the MOD
will launch the new Defence Transition Service, a
specialist support system that will provide an additional
layer of care for those preparing to leave service, who are
most likely to face difficulties once they leave the Armed
Forces.
The majority of veterans go on to lead successful and
healthy lives once they have left the Armed Forces. They
leave with strong values and transferrable skills,
demonstrating qualities such as leadership,
resourcefulness, adaptability, and the ability to work
under pressure.
Of the veterans who use the MOD’s Career Transition
Partnership upon leaving the Armed Forces, 86% are in
education, training, volunteering or in a job within six
months. The MOD continues to run the largest apprenticeship
scheme in the country.
