§ Mr. Mayhewasked the Minister of State for Defence how many serving members of Her Majesty's forces were discharged in the past five years due to stress or mental illness; and what
Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Total Year Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female 1968 … 194 6 543 48 544 73 1,281 127 1969 … 229 7 455 48 457 40 1,141 95 1970 … 156 3 390 50 316 44 862 97 1971 … 137 5 349 39 291 51 777 95 1972* … 120 3 400 40 280 33 800 76 TOTAL … 836 24 2,137 225 1,888 241 4,861 490 * Estimate. The medical care of these patients after discharge becomes the responsibility of their civilian doctors and the National Health Service. The Services do, however, take particular care in preparing the patient for discharge. Liaison is established with local health and social service authorities and arrangements can be made for clinical follow-up and psychiatric surveillance. Job resettlement is also carefully considered, and industrial rehabilitation courses are arranged where appropriate.
Another source of help to these patients after discharge is the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, a charitable organisation which exists to help all ex-Servicemen with psychiatric illnesses.