A report issued by the Ministry of Defence this month has revealed that between January 2014 and March 2014 1,345 new cases of mental health disorder, including PTSD were identified within the UK Armed Forces personnel.
It is too early to say whether this will translate into an increase in PTSD compensation claims.
Whilst there was very little difference in the statistics for the previous quarter there was a significant increase for the same period in the previous year, where 1,248 patients were assessed with a mental disorder. The figures show that those in the Army had a much higher rate of reported mental health disorder than those in the RAF, Navy and the Royal Marines. Only 34 patients within the Royal Marines were assessed for a mental health disorder compared to 859 in the Army.
From January 2013 to March 2014 the number of patients assessed with a mental health disorder across all service lines has remained fairly steady, although the Navy, RAF and Army have experienced a peak in the number of patients assessed in the latest quarter, January 2014-March 2014.
Ranking within the military could also influence if patients are more susceptible to developing a mental health disorder. The report shows that those who are of officer rank and above did not report anywhere near as many cases of mental health disorder as those below that rank. Socio economic analysis goes as far to suggest that those from higher educational backgrounds were less affected by mental health disorders than school leavers and those from inner city backgrounds.
The types of mental health disorders faced by patients ranged from psychoactive substance abuse, including alcohol abuse, mood disorders, including depressive episodes and neurotic disorders, including PTSD and adjustment disorders. Depression and PTSD cases have continued to grow year on year.
The Welsh Government has given Veterans NHS Wales an extra £100,000 on top of the £485,000 funding they already receive. They are intending to use the extra money to help veterans suffering from PTSD.
Jason Brady, Partner at Blackwater Law has been helping those in the UK armed forces and UK veterans’ make PTSD compensation claims. If you think you may have a case for PTSD compensation, the call Blackwater Law and speak to Jason today for a free initial assessment.
