Study Into Young Soldiers’ Mental Health

A researcher conducting a study into the mental health of young soldiers is hoping to remove the “huge stigma” attached to asking for support within the Army. Steven Walker, a principal research officer at the University of Essex, is working with his colleague Professor Gill Green on a study into the emotional health of young soldiers, some of whom are based in Colchester.

He said he believed soldiers were afraid to use the systems of support put in place by the Army as they would appear weak and vulnerable. Mr Walker is nine months in to the study that is being funded by the Indigo trust, one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts.

He said: “It is not Army research – it is funded by a charity concerned about young people’s health in general. Normally they (the Army) commission and fund their research. It was unusual for them to be approached by someone with funding and a research plan – they were probably nervous about getting bad news.”

He said the “explorative” research had so far backed up his hypothesis and he was looking to extend it beyond the 16 soldiers he has already interviewed. “Young soldiers find it very hard to admit they have problems and feel vulnerable and emotionally unwell,” said Mr Walker. There’s a huge stigma attached to not feeling well and not coping mentally. The Army might say they don’t have a problem – but the reason is that soldiers may not admit they have such problems themselves.”

He said young recruits tended to come from quite impoverished and deprived backgrounds, and it was well known there can be problems with the mental health of young people from such upbringings. He said placing such people in “hyper-stressful” combat situations could cause them to develop mental and emotional health problems. “The Army does have systems of support for young soldiers but the stigma deters them from using these – they don’t feel able to make use of them,” said Mr Walker.

The study has been supported by Colchester Garrison and the Military Corrective Training Centre in the town, while the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is also backing the research, expected to be completed by September.

Last night, an MoD spokesman said it “recognised” mental illness, including post-traumatic tress Disorder, as a serious and disabling condition, but one that can be treated. He added: “It is our policy that mental health issues should be properly recognised and appropriately handled, and that every effort should be made to reduce the stigma associated with them. We can confirm that a number of soldiers have taken part in this research and we are awaiting sight of the results.”