NSmen and mental health: Our soldiers don't need to suffer in silence

Mental health struggles among soldiers are often dismissed as a lack of resilience, but the reality is more complex. New support measures signal progress.

- Chew Han Ei and Isabelle Tan

National service is a defining experience for young Singaporean men, profoundly shaping their transition into adulthood. As NSmen navigate military life, they experience significant disruptions to their education, career and relationships during a formative stage of personal and professional growth.

As such, mental health support is just as crucial as physical readiness and discipline, both of which have been the focus traditionally.

Recognising this, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has expanded its mental health support efforts within the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

These positive initiatives and their lasting impact will depend on how well they address not just military stressors, but also the broader life transitions that young men undergo.

STRENGTHENING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN THE SAF

In the recent Committee of Supply debate, Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How outlined the initiatives in the SAF which build on existing efforts. They include the establishment of the Mental Health Office in 2022 to oversee and coordinate mental health support across Mindef.

In 2024, it piloted Roving Care Teams, deploying psychologists and counsellors during key training phases to provide support.

The SAF also introduced a mental health e-learning module to help personnel foster a positive workplace culture and provide peer support. Additionally, the Army Resilience Centre, launched in 2024, offers structured training to help soldiers adjust to military life.

These initiatives come at a critical time, as reports of mental health cases are rising. The proportion of pre-enlistees reporting such issues increased from 6 per cent in 2019 to 11 per cent in 2023, although the majority had mild to moderate conditions. This trend mirrors national patterns and highlights the need to focus more attention on mental well-being in the armed forces.

BEYOND INDIVIDUAL RESILIENCE