Are we complacent about mental health issues of the military in Sri Lanka?

Abstract

Until 2009 the Sri Lankan military faced a protracted war of varying intensity for thirty years. In the latter part of the conflict over 5000 military personnel died and over 20,000 were left wounded and disabled. Evidence from the West indicates that post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, alcohol related disorders, traumatic brain injuries, violence, sociopathic behaviour and suicide are major mental health consequences of war, in the military. Studies about the Sri Lankan military are more limited, and show varying resultsDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljpsyc.v5i2.7812Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry Vol 5(2):5-8