(2) what feedback he has gathered from participants in decompression on its merits.
The decompression process is designed to be a brief ‘wind-down’ period for troops returning from operational theatres, and is aimed at facilitating the adjustment from the operational to the UK environment. It is not intended that it should play a major role in the prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a chronic disabling illness distinct to the more short-term adjustment issues that we can expect individuals to encounter in making the change from the operational to the home/family/non-operational environment.
However, if during the process an individual demonstrates any indicators of possible mental health problems, then appropriate follow-up action will be taken.
The King’s Centre for Military Health Research is currently undertaking research into the merits of decompression, the results of which will be published on completion.