War and Psychiatry - Thursday 13th February 2025
Summary and speakers: Dr Jeya Balakrishna MBBS, FRCPsych, LLM, Consultant Psychiatrist, Defence Primary Healthcare, MOD, Associate Registrar, Royal College of Psychiatrist
One Reservist, Two jobs: The psychological challenge of balancing civilian and military careers
This is an occupational health perspective about the different psychosocial experiences of regulars and reservists in both routine duties and in operational deployment. The implications for clinical practice relate to Defence Medical appreciating the reintegration of reservists to home and work lives outside military duties, communication between NHS GPs, military healthcare and other services, and recognition of the strength and assets of military service.
Professor Edgar Jones, Professor in the History of Medicine & Psychiatry, Programme Leader of MSc in War and Psychiatry, King's Centre for Military Health Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London
Mental health and wellbeing of UK minority ethnic veterans: the experience of Gurkha and Fijian ex-service personnel: whilst the mental health of veterans has been extensively researched largely through the diagnosis of PTSD, little study has been conducted on ethnic minorities who have served in the UK armed forces. A recent investigation of Gurkha and Fijian veterans, which includes both quantitative and qualitative elements, explored whether discriminatory policies established in time of Empire continue to influence management, terms and conditions of employment and access to social services. Although a series of reforms from 2007 have addressed financial provisions and citizenship, the study found that elements of discrimination remain, including barriers to promotion, career development and historic pensions. These are expressed both through symptoms of mental and physical health but in ways that are not immediately apparent.
Chair: Professor Kamaldeep Bhui
Biographies
Jeya Balakrishna is consultant psychiatrist working in community mental health teams for British Forces, working alongside military GPs, nurses and therapists, occupational physicians and psychologists. He chairs an HQ working group of senior military clinicians reviewing significant events, and likewise is Special Advisor for Patient Safety in the Royal College of Psychiatrists, where he is also an Associate Registrar, and an officer of the General Adult Faculty Executive. Born and bred in Singapore, Jeya served as an infantry medical officer, undertook postgrad psychiatric training at George's in SW London and spent the initial part of his clinical career in forensic psychiatry, working in secure hospitals and in community teams.
Edgar Jones is professor of the history of medicine and psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. He originally trained as a social and economic historian at Nuffield College Oxford before completing a doctorate in clinical psychopathology at Guy’s Hospital and training as a psychodynamic psychotherapist. He is programme leader for the MSc in War and Psychiatry at King’s College London and works in the field of military psychiatry exploring how both soldiers and civilians cope with the stress of war and enduring its effects on their mental state. He has recently completed a study of Gurkha and Fijian veterans serving in the UK armed forces, funded by Forces in Mind Trust.