As Singapore expands its efforts to tackle mental health issues, multiple Members of Parliament (MPs) raised their concerns for the mental well-being of national servicemen.
Sengkang GRC MP He Ting Ru raised her concerns about the mental well-being of Full-Time National Servicemen (NSFs) during the Committee of Supply debates on Feb. 29.
Tampines GRC MP Desmond Choo and Jalan Besar MP Wan Rizal further asked in a parliamentary session on Mar. 7 about the exact measures MINDEF had undertaken to improve mental well-being.
Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How revealed that the number of pre-enlistees detected to have mental health issues jumped from 6 per cent in 2019 to 11 per cent in 2023.
He said that while the majority have "mild to moderate"conditions, it was in line with the increasing prevalence of mental health issues at the national level.
"To deal with this rising trend, MINDEF and the SAF reviewed our overall system and instituted a slew of measures to better support psychological and psychiatric conditions of our NSFs and regulars. "
In his speech on Feb. 29, Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How said that SAF "has in place efforts to promote effective self-care, strengthened coping skills, and better recognise mental health issues".
He added that all regulars and NSFs also undergo psychological first-aid training to help them recognise distress, exercise self-care, and how to support their peers.
Individuals are also screened for mental health conditions before their enlistment into NS.
Those who have severe conditions that pose harm to themselves or others are deferred from NS until they are professionally assessed to have improved and no longer pose a risk, Heng added.
Meanwhile, those with mild or moderate symptoms but are assessed to be able to serve in selected posts will receive additional monitoring during NS.
More mental health support has also been extended during Basic Military Training (BMT), allowing medical doctors to work closely with commanders to support NSF during the transition to military life.
"We must continue to do our utmost to strengthen the NS system to make full use of our NSF and NSmen's talents, and skills, and to appreciate the valuable contributions. We must take good care of them."
https://mothership.sg/2024/03/optimising-deployment-of-nsf/
