EXTRACTS FROM THE MASSEY UNIVERSITY “PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT STUDY REPORT”. The ‘Psychological Impact Study’, has received no attention from, Government, VANZ, or even the RNZRSA, all of which were forwarded copies in 2005 when the study was completed. It continues to go unrecognised. Mental health amongst nuclear test veterans should be an obvious and important question for those who claim to be interested in the well being of veterans overall. Psychological problems are not restricted to mental issues only, rather they compound and directly result in physical illnesses also. Such a situation is evident in the table of illnesses obtained in the psychological research which used the Test and Control groups used for the Massey University Cytogenetic Analysis. The two highest health problems are shown, At Table 16. “Percentages Exposed and Control Participants Having One or More Chronic Health Problems for at Least Six months”. CANCER. EXPOSED GROUP 24% CONTROL GROUP 2% CHRONIC SKIN CONDITIONS EXPOSED GROUP 40% CONTROL GROUP 12% Herewith edited information from the research SUMMARY Page V. “The adjusted scores showed that the Exposed men were considerably more depressed than the Controls, had poorer perceived physical and mental health, and poorer perceived memory. They also had more long-term health problems. These are exactly the results to be expected from people under stress. ..our results show that the psychological profile of these men is far from normal. RECOMMENDATIONS. 1. The nuclear test veterans be offered assistance in helping them cope with the chronic stress that at least some of them are experiencing. As long as the situation they find themselves in remains unresolved, stress levels will remain elevated. Learning stress management techniques is not to be seen as a solution to the issues arising from nuclear radiation exposure; rather, it offers a way of reducing the risk of ill health that accompanies chronic stress, until a solution is found. 2. Compared to the control participants, it is clear that the quality of life is compromised for at least some of the nuclear test veterans. Developing strategies for addressing these health inequalities is a matter of some urgency.” No assistance in line with the recommendations of the researchers has been made available by Government/VANZ for nuclear test veterans. The stress and resulting health problems continue on, not only amongst the veterans but also among their widows and off-spring. Roy Sefton. QSM Chair New Zealand Nuclear test Veterans Association
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 05:15:26 +0000
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