Long-Term Military Work Outcomes in Soldiers Who Become Mental Health Casualties When Deployed on Operations

Abstract

the results of this study support the use of the Forward Psychiatry principles in achieving good short-term military work outcomes. Utilizing these principles, three-quarters of those referred to the FMHT were returned to their deployed unit and approximately three-quarters of those assessed by the FMHT remained in service two years after referral. We suggest that these are positive work outcomes; however, being evacuated out of the operational environment and having a short service length were both associated with premature discharge, though we were unable to examine the role of illness severity.

What are the effects of having an illness or injury whilst deployed on post deployment mental health? A population based record linkage study of UK Army personnel who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan

“…This fits with the UK military’s policy on treating psychiatric injuries known as ‘forward psychiatry’; that is, to treat them within the proximity of where the event is presented, to deliver care immediately and with the expectancy of occupational recovery [24]. By avoiding evacuation too readily and keeping personnel with their unit, evidence suggests that psychiatric problems are less likely to develop [24].…”

Deployment-related mental health support: comparative analysis of NATO and allied ISAF partners

“…This is in line with the approach adopted after potentially critical incidents (see above), since it means treating distressed personnel as quickly as possible, as close to the frontline as possible, and in many cases persuading them that their reactions area normal physiological response to the stress of battle, and that after a few days of rest, sleep, clean clothes, and hot food, he/she will be able to resume his/her military duties. This approach was substantiated by evidence showing that soldiers receiving treatment in a forward unit have lower rates of PTSD and other psychiatric symptoms, experienced less loneliness and report better social functioning compared to similarly traumatized soldiers treated in rear units (Jones, Fear, Jones, Wessely, & Greenberg, 2010; Solomon, Mikulincer, & Waysman, 1991; Solomon, Mikulincer, Waysman, & Marlowe, 1991; Solomon, Shklar, & Mikulincer, 2005). The “forward psychiatry” approach has gradually been replaced with “embedded mental health” that is organic to the unit.…”

Do shorter delays to care and mental health system renewal translate into better occupational outcome after mental disorder diagnosis in a cohort of Canadian military personnel who returned from an Afghanistan deployment?

“…10 Research on factors influencing outcome among those with mental disorders is sparse. Associations have been seen with diagnosis, 17 23 illness severity, 23 24 years of service, 17 23 24 combat occupation, 17 24 rank, 17 23 24 gender, 17 24 age, 24 marital status, 24 presence of comorbid conditions 17 and treatment, 17 factors that are mostly non-modifiable.…”