Barriers to Mental Health Care in the UK Armed Forces
Author Information
Author(s): Amy C Iversen, Lauren van Staden, Jamie Hacker Hughes, Neil Greenberg, Matthew Hotopf, Roberto J Rona, Graham Thornicroft, Simon Wessely, Nicola T Fear
Primary Institution: King's College London
Hypothesis
What are the barriers to seeking mental health care among military personnel in the UK?
Conclusion
Anticipated stigma and practical barriers continue to hinder access to mental health care for military personnel, even after leaving the Armed Forces.
Supporting Evidence
- The most common barriers to care are related to anticipated public stigma.
- Veterans report additional barriers to care compared to those still serving.
- Reservists face unique challenges in accessing mental health services.
- Those with mental health problems report significantly more barriers to care.
Takeaway
Many soldiers don't ask for help with mental health problems because they worry about what others will think and find it hard to make appointments.
Methodology
Participants were interviewed via telephone using structured clinical interviews and questionnaires about service utilization and barriers to care.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the self-reported nature of the data and the possibility of missing vulnerable individuals.
Limitations
The study may not fully represent the most vulnerable individuals, such as those who are homeless or in prison.
Participant Demographics
The sample included regular and reserve personnel from the UK military, with a mix of deployment histories.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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