More should be done to help them, charity bosses have said.
They point out that the threat of sudden termination of service, uncertain immigration status and financial concerns caused by less generous pensions were all a worry for troops who left in the 1990s – often hitting their mental health hard.
And while accepting that good progress has been made over the decades, commentators say more is still needed to address “the legacy of empire”.
The concerns were raised after a study involving both serving and retired Gurkha and Fijians was published by the Forces in Mind Trust charity – with the probe finding that historic discrimination still had an impact on older vets, some 40 of whom were surveyed.
It also flagged that the distress had been compounded by longer periods of separation from loved ones than Brit counterparts.
Fears of having to cope on old pension terms after discharge – particularly for Gurkha veterans – had also caused anguish.
In parallel, researchers at King’s College London discovered that some of the 300 serving Nepalese and Fijians polled were more likely to put up with physical and mental health symptoms. But most reported being in good overall shape.
Among a series of recommendations, the academics suggested that support services should be better coordinated between defence, welfare groups and charities.
They also stressed that officials at the MoD and Department for Work and Pensions needed to continue to address “enduring differences” in pension inequalities faced by Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 on older terms.
Report author Prof Edgar Jones said that the soldiers involved in the study remained highly resilient and were “rightly proud of their military achievements”.
But the expert added: “Discriminatory treatment has had an impact on their health and though much has been done to address the legacy of empire, the task is not complete.”
Forces in Mind chief executive officer Michelle Alston shared the concerns, adding that the latest study should serve as a useful reference point when assisting all non-UK troops.
“Regardless of their country of origin, all former service personnel and their families should be empowered to make a successful transition to civilian life,” she concluded.
