The impact of in-Service physical injury or illness on the mental health of military veterans

Hynes, C; Scullion, LC; Lawler, C; Steel, R; Boland, P

Abstract

Background
Each year approximately 2000 UK service personnel are medically discharged with physical and/or
psychological injury or illness. While there is much research on both psychological injury and physical
injury, the challenges of transition relating to the intersection between the two has received less
attention. This article reports on the first phase of a two-year funded study with the aim to understand
the lived experiences of veterans who have been discharged from service with a physical injury or
illness and the impacts of this on their mental health.
Methods
Using a qualitative methodology, 22 veterans who had been discharged from service within the last
eight years were interviewed to identify key aspects of their experience of the transition process.
Results
The article highlights two key themes: how some veterans adjusted to life with a physical injury or
condition; and, the intersections that became apparent between physical injury and mental health.
The challenges that veterans faced were shaped not only by the transition process, but also by the
way in which the medical discharge process was conducted.
Conclusions
Consideration of improvements to the medical discharge process could influence better outcomes for
those who have left with a physical injury or illness and later find themselves struggling with mental
health issues.
Key messages
• Discharge due to physical injury or illness can have long term implications for mental
health
• The discharge and subsequent transition process can impact on veteran wellbeing over a
significant period of time
• There is a need for mental health support both before and after discharge for Service
Personnel with physical injuries or conditions

Citation

Hynes, C., Scullion, L., Lawler, C., Steel, R., & Boland, P. (2021). The impact of in-Service physical injury or illness on the mental health of military veterans. BMJ Military Health, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001759

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 14, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Mar 4, 2021
• Publication Date: Mar 4, 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 16, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 9, 2021
• Journal: BMJ Military Health
• Print ISSN: 2633-3767
• Electronic ISSN: 2633-3775
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001759
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001759
• Related Public URLs: https://militaryhealth.bmj.com/
• Additional Information: Access Information : This article has been accepted for publication in BMJ Military Health, 2021 following peer review, and the Version of Record can be accessed online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001759 © Authors (or their employer(s)) 2021; Projects : Understanding the transition to civilian life for ex-Service personnel with physical conditions as a direct result of service or acquired whilst in service