Mental health and welfare of Gurkha and Fijian soldiers

Study explores the experiences of Gurkha & Fijian serving and ex-Serving personnel, including people's experiences in-Service (e.g. promotional opportunities, combat, deployment, racism, discrimination and positive experiences) and post-Service (e.g. citizenship, employment and community inclusion). 

The aim of this project is to compare mental health outcomes in different ethnic/racial groups. Additionally, the project will explore Gurkha and Fijian Veterans' in-Service experiences, including discrimination and post-Service resettlement, cultural integration and entitlements.

This study will use quantitative analysis using cohort data and reflexive thematic analyses on qualitative interviews. The quantitative component involves using four phases of data from the KCMHR dataset to determine symptom profiles of racial/ethnic minority groups compared to White British counterparts. The qualitative component adopts a participatory design consisting of individual interviews with Fijian (N~10-15) and Gurkha (N~10-15) Veterans, a follow-up session to co-create qualitative themes and findings, and a series of community workshops.

Quantitative aim: To perform a comparison of mental health symptoms across groups using the KCMHR cohort data, including Gurkha and Fijian personnel and other racial/ethnic minority groups.

Qualitative aim: To explore the mental health and well-being of Serving and ex-Serving Gurkha & Fijian personnel in individual interviews and community workshops:

1) Military culture, support, treatment and discrimination during Service.
2) Access to employment, finances, health and welfare services, right to remain, justice issues, political rights, citizenship, and war pensions post-Service.
3) Psychological experiences, including resilience, distress/mental illness, a sense of belonging, identity and their perceived inclusion/exclusion in wider society.

Qualitative samples:

• Community workshops - N=3-4 including 3-12 participants
• Individual interviews - N=10-15 Fijian Veterans and N=10-15 Gurkha Veterans