Forces in Mind Trust (FIMT), King’s College London, 20^th May

Following on from the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) conference on 19^th May that explored strategies to improve mental health outcomes, the FIMT conference focused on 'Understanding and Supporting the Armed Forces Community in an Evolving World'.

Attending the conference were Dana Dekel and Dr Adanma Ekenna, researchers at the MilGAM Centre, who presented posters which showed the results of the HABIT study.

The HABIT study was comprised of an online cross-sectional survey (n=414) and a set of one-to-one interviews (n=13) with ex-Service personnel. Over 25% of survey respondents reported some form of ‘risky’ or ‘problem’ gambling, as well as relatively high levels of loneliness and psychological distress such as anxiety and depression. It was found that loneliness, difficulty in adapting to civilian job training and coping styles like self-blame and substance use were significant risk factors for problem gambling. Older age, lengthier service in the Armed Forces and using information-based support for gambling were found to be significant protective factors.

At interview, ex-Service personnel who had experienced gambling harms reported that the normalisation of gambling within the Armed Forces as well as in the broader social culture was linked with their experience of gambling harms, which was further exacerbated by their experiences transitioning out of the Armed Forces. A range of structural barriers within the military such as adverse career repercussions and fear of stigma were also identified. This prevented treatment seeking for some interviewees, and potentially contributed to their gambling remained hidden and untreated.



The combined results of the study suggest that there is a need for greater awareness of gambling harms for ex-Service personnel. Integrated services to address gambling and gambling cultures both within the Armed Forces and outside of it, the range of risk factors associated with gambling such as loneliness, and also life adjustments unique to Service personnel such as transitioning out of the Armed Forces, may also be important components of support targeted at the Armed Forces community.

For further information about the HABIT study, see www.vhabit.co.uk