Psychiatric Bulletin (2008) 32: 99-102. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.107.016337
© 2008 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Patient characteristics and clinical activities at a British military department of community mental health

Matthew Gould, Clinical Psychologist

DCMH Portsmouth, Postal Point 6, Sunny Walk, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth

John Sharpley, Surgeon Commander, Consultant Advisor in Psychiatry

*Royal Navy, DCMH Portsmouth, Postal Point 6, Sunny Walk, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO13LT, email: capsych{at}a.dii.mod.uk

Neil Greenberg, Surgeon Commander

Royal Navy, DCMH Portsmouth, Postal Point 6, Sunny Walk, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, and King’s Centre for Military Health Research, Weston Education Centre, Cutcombe Road, London

Declaration of interest

M. Gould, J. Sharpley and N. Greenberg are full-time employees of the Ministry of Defence.

AIMS AND METHOD

To describe patient characteristics and clinical activities at a British military department of community mental health (DCMH). Data were drawn from a clinical database over a 1-year period (n=409).

RESULTS

Mean age was 29 years, 50% were single and 76% were from the junior ranks. Women were over-represented compared with the wider military population. Mean length of service prior to presentation was 5 years. The main presenting problem was alcohol misuse (33%) followed by depression (19%). Twenty-five per cent were referred for psychotherapy and 68% returned to full employment after treatment.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Patient characteristics of those treated at a DCMH differ from those in the wider military. An out-patient occupational mental health service returns a substantial number of patients to occupational fitness within the Armed Forces.