A report published by the Centre for Mental Health has indicated that armed forces veterans face a range of mental health problems including depression and alcohol misuse, but they are less likely to go to prison than the general population.
The report suggest that rates of mental ill health among veterans about 4% have probable Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),, 20% have depression or anxiety and 13% misuse alcohol. Mental ill health appears to be more common among reservists than regular troops.
The report reveals that veterans are less likely to be in prison than men in the general population of a similar age. About 4% of the prison population has served in the armed forces. Three out of every 1,000 veterans is in prison, compared with five out of every 1,000 men aged 18 to 54.
Download the report.