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Serving within the British army: research into mental health benefits
Finnegan, Alan Finnegan, Sara McGee, Paula Srinivasan, Mike Simpson, Robin
Finnegan, Alan
Finnegan, Sara
McGee, Paula
Srinivasan, Mike
Simpson, Robin
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Other Contributors
Affiliation
EPub Date
Publication Date
2011-10-28
Submitted Date
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Abstract
The mental health (MH) of soldiers remains extremely newsworthy and is regularly featured in high profile media forums that focus on post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the authors feel that there are distinct benefits to serving within the Army, and that it provides effective occupational medical, MH and welfare support. This research study explores potential benefits and stressors of being in the Army and provides an overview of Army mental health services (AMHS) through the perspectives of AMHS personnel, 84% of which were nurses. The study indicated that the Army can provide a protective community, sharing a bond based on common values and experiences. The Army can provide soldiers with career opportunities that are not available in civilian life, and there are opportunities to develop an employment profile, enhanced by internal and external educational training, and encapsulated within a progressive career pathway. The Army can also be seen to offer an escape route, preventing soldiers entering a life of crime, and supplying the stable family these soldiers had never experienced. The provision of leadership, within an environment where soldiers are valued and stigma is not tolerated can potentially shield against MH problems.
Citation
Finnegan, A., Finnegan, S., McGee, P., Scrinivasan, M., & Simpson, R. (2011). Serving within the British army: research into mental health benefits. British journal of Nursing, 20(19), 1256-1261
Publisher
MA Healthcare
Journal
British Journal of Nursing
Research Unit
DOI
10.12968/bjon.2011.20.19.1256
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PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
en
Description
This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in British Journal of Nursing, copyright © MA Education, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjon.2011.20.19.1256
Series/Report no.
ISSN
0966-0461