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Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Answer

Armed Forces personnel (Regular and mobilised Reserve) who experience a traumatic event are supported through the Trauma Risk Management process (TRiM). Whilst no system can detect every individual at risk of mental illness, there are measures in place to increase awareness at all levels and to mitigate the development of operational stresses. These include pre- and post-deployment briefing and the availability of support, assessment and (if required) treatment, both during and after deployments.

Post-tour decompression activity which supports the readjustment and reintegration of personnel as smoothly and quickly as possible to sustain readiness has been factored into Op PITTING, with time allocated for peer-to-peer discussion on moral injury. This approach is based on experience in the COVID pandemic where soldiers returning from supporting the civilian authorities have undergone a two-day recovery programme.

Each of the single Services also provide through-career mental resilience and stress management training. The MOD has also produced the HeadFIT website to encourage good management of mental fitness and an online Mental Health Fundamentals course is available to all Armed Forces personnel. Furthermore, from September 2021, all Armed Forces personnel will receive mandatory, annual, mental health and wellbeing briefing designed to increase awareness of mental health and the personal barriers that may prevent the seeking of support.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL2389

Session

2021-22

Related items

Afghanistan: Armed Forces
Tuesday, 28 September 2021
Written questions
House of Lords

Subjects

Armed forces Peacekeeping operations Mental health services Afghanistan

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk