PEOPLE who have served in the Armed Forces for a short time are at increased risk of self-harm, according to a university study.
Records of more than 50,000 veterans living in Scotland who served between 1960 and 2012 were compared to non-veterans to look at the long-term risks of non-fatal self-harm.
A research team from the University of Glasgow found that overall, veterans had a 30% increase in risk, but the highest risk was in people who left service before completing their initial training – they were found to have an increased risk of 70%. Those who had served the longest were at 60% reduced risk.
The study found there was an increased risk in both the youngest veterans and in middle-aged people. The research did not show any significant increase in risk in female veterans. Researchers said the findings suggest the biggest risk factors come from veterans’ “pre-service life”.
The study has been described as important as there has been little previous analysis on self-harm in veterans.
The report, which used data from the Scottish Veterans Health Study to examine hospital admissions due to non-fatal self-harm, is published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.
Lead researcher Beverly Bergman said: “This is an important study which provides the first insight into an important area of veterans’ mental health.
“Although overall the veterans were at increased risk of self-harm, the risk reduced steadily with longer service, which suggests that the biggest risk factors come from people’s pre-service life and that longer military service is protective.”
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