Proportion of Full-time National Servicemen Downgraded for Mental Issues

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Defence whether there has been an uptrend in the proportion of full-time national servicemen downgraded for mental issues in recent cohorts compared to cohorts in previous decades.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: Over the past five years, around 4% of each National Service (NS) cohort was downgraded for mental health issues. The majority of these were downgraded after the pre-enlistment check-ups, before commencing their NS and therefore the prevalence of mental disorders for national servicemen reflects that of the male population in Singapore.

For those who are enlisted, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) supports these Full-Time National Servicemen (NSFs) with a range of medical treatment and counselling services by our SAF psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors and para-counsellors. Unit commanders undergo basic training to help them better understand mental health conditions and interview all NSFs at regular intervals to find out if they are facing any stresses, including emotional or psychological problems. In addition, NSFs can call a 24-hour SAF Counselling Hotline whenever they need help.