King’s Centre for Military Health Research: A fifteen year report
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the findings from the King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) research on the UK Armed Forces' health, which has been ongoing for 15 years. The study examines the health and well-being of UK Armed Forces personnel, focusing on the impact of military service, including deployment to conflict zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Key areas of investigation include mental health outcomes, physical health, and the social and occupational functioning of service members. The report highlights significant issues such as the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, alcohol misuse, and the challenges faced during the transition to civilian life. The findings underscore the importance of continued support and targeted interventions to address the health needs of military personnel and veterans. The study provides valuable insights into the long-term effects of military service, informing policy and practice aimed at improving the health and well-being of those who serve.
Abstract: This research set out to investigate the experiences of ‘grown up’ children from armed forces families, to gather their reflections on childhood and education, and to seek their advice to inform the current armed forces community, policy-makers and practitioners. The Service Children’s Progression Alliance (SCiP) defines a child from an armed forces family as “a person whose parent or carer serves in the Regular Armed Forces, or as a Reservist, or has done at any point during the first 25 years of that person’s life” (SCiP, 2017: para 2) and the Office for Students refers to this definition in their documentation relating to student characteristics (OfS n.d. para 8, see also OfS, 2020: para 11). In this research we use the term ‘grown up’ to indicate individuals over the age of 18 recognised to have reached the legal age of adulthood in the UK. This group of individuals are currently overlooked in research, policy and practice as the focus continues to be on serving members of the armed forces, veterans, and families, including school-aged children.