SAF reviewing policies as mental health cases rise

The incidence of mental health problems among soldiers in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is rising, reflecting the growth of such problems among the Republic's youth.

- Ng Wei Kai

To address this trend, senior psychiatrists from the public and private sectors are working to keep the SAF's mental health policies up to date.

Among other things, these volunteers have recommended changes to the SAF's medical classifications for psychiatric conditions to ensure that soldiers serve in appropriate capacities.

SAF Psychiatry Specialist Advisory Board (PSAB) member Christopher Cheok revealed this on Oct 3, citing recent surveys by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and the Ministry of Health that showed about one quarter of young people in Singapore rating themselves as having very poor mental health.

“Because we take in much of the male population into national service, (these statistics) will also be reflective of the state of affairs within the SAF,” he said.

Dr Cheok, who is chief of forensic psychiatry and senior consultant at the Institute of Mental Health, was one of 387 volunteers recognised by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) for their contributions on Oct 3.