ABSTRACT
There are significant problems associated with poor psychological well-being in the general public, as well as military personnel. Within the military environment, particularly amongst personnel deployed on operations, a range of mental health concerns can arise, however research to date has largely focused on several key areas: trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), suicide and suicidal behaviors, alcohol use and abuse, traumatic brain injuries, mood disorders and anxiety disorders. While it is important to acknowledge the prevalence and consequences of these mental ill-health issues, it is also important to acknowledge that many members of the military, including those who deploy on operations, are not unwell. Indeed many of them experience considerable positive growth as a consequence of their experiences. The difference between distress and well-being appears to lie not so much in the experiences themselves, but, rather, in how those experiences are appraised.
