Lok Sabha Question No. 291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-03
Subject: Scheme for Improving Psychological Conditions of Defence Personnel
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.291

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2017

## SCHEME FOR IMPROVING PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL

## 291. SHRI  SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  Armed  Forces  Personnel receive high quality care and support for psychological conditions and disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder incurred during military service;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the Government proposes to formulate any sensation scheme to spread awareness and remove stigma around Psychological conditions incurred during service for Armed Forces Personnel; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) to (d): A statement is attached.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d)  OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 291 FOR ANSWER ON 03.02.2017

(a) & (b): The following systems and facilities are in place to deal with the stress and psychological conditions including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  faced  by  the  Armed  Forces  Personnel  and  promote  positive mental health among them:

## Army:

-  Preventive,  Promotive  and  Curative  services  are  being  provided through a network of Psychiatry centres and Community Outreach Programme to train commanders at all levels.
-  Major  Armed  Forces  hospitals  have  well  equipped  Psychiatry centres  capable  of  providing  high  quality  care  and  support  for psychological conditions.
-  Screening  of  personnel  for  any  stress  markers,  psychological counselling  by  trained  military  psychological  counsellors,  and training of counsellors is undertaken regularly.
-  Religious Teacher JCOs besides preaching religion are also being trained to augment the availability of psychological counsellors in units and provide requisite care in community settings.
-  A  telephone helpline  'Mansik  Sahayata'  has  been  established  for psychological counselling services at all Command Head Quarters.

## Navy:

-  Counselling of sailors/junior leaders through psychological counsellors
-  Issue of advisories on Mental Health from time to time
-  Training of senior non-medical sailors on psychological counselling
-  Arranging  stress  relieving  activities  like  Yoga,  Art  of  Living  etc. periodically
-  Issue of policy by IHQ of MoD (Navy) on 'Addressing behavioural aberrations & provision of counselling services'. The policy provides  for  creation  of  'Station  Mental  Health  Centres',  training programmes, mental health education programmes etc.
-  Observance  of  World  Mental  Health  Day  (10 th October)  at  all echelons of Naval medical services.

## Air Force:

-  Employment  of Psychological Counsellors trained in clinical psychology at stations for individual and family counselling.
-  Training of service personnel for 12 weeks at Command Hospital Air Force, Bangalore for employment as service counsellors.
-  Training of officers and airmen in 4 days service mentor course for early recognisation of psychiatric symptoms.
-  All  personnel  found  to  be  having  any  psychiatric  deviation  are referred to Psychiatrist in nearest service hospital and followed up thereafter.
-  Manasik Seva Helpline - All India toll free helpline 1800-110-080 is working at Air Force Central Medical Establishment, Delhi.
-  Mental health education and awareness lectures for all air warriors and families.
-  Website  of  DGMS  (Air)  has  a  separate  page  on  'Tips  for  Healthy Mind'.

(c) & (d): As already mentioned above in reply to parts (a) and (b) of the question, the Armed  Forces are already undertaking various activities to spread awareness on all health issues including psychological conditions among their personnel and their families. Thus there  is  no  proposal,  at  present,  to  formulate  any  new  sensitization scheme.

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