Pat Buckley
Question:111. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the efforts he and the Defence Forces have made to provide mental health supports for Defence Forces personnel. [50568/18]
View answerTuesday, 4 December 2018
Questions (111)
Written answers
The health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a high priority of mine and of my Department. Mental health supports are part of a range of medical and non-medical services provided to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are medically fit to undertake the duties assigned to them.
Medical mental health services available to personnel include access to clinical psychology and psychiatry services. The Psychology service assesses, diagnoses, treats and advises on strategies to prevent mental health disorders. Psychiatry services specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
There are currently two Clinical Psychologists employed by the Defence Forces. Psychiatry services were until recently provided in-house by a military psychiatrist. This position is currently vacant with interim services being provided through a combination of external public and private services; however, efforts are continuing to recruit a full-time psychiatrist to provide an in-house service. It must be stressed that there is no delay in referring patients requiring immediate psychiatric care or assessment.
In addition to these clinical supports, non-medical mental health services are provided by the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service (PSS). The Defence Forces Personnel Support Service (PSS) provides a welfare, information, psycho-social support and referral service to serving members of the Defence Forces and their families. The service is also available to civilian employees, and in a limited role to veterans. This service sustains and enhances the individual well-being of personnel, and promotes a safe and positive work culture, in order to support the effectiveness of the Defence Forces.
The service is delivered through a network of military Barrack Personnel Support Service Officers (BPSSO) and civilian Occupational Social Workers (OSW). This network of professionals is prepared to provide immediate help to service personnel and their families in a routine environment or at a time of crisis. This assistance can range from the simple provision of information to counselling or, if required, signposting and referral to specialist help and assistance.
Furthermore, the assistance may include providing psychosocial support, counselling and information & assistance services on a variety of issues, including relationships, general finances, addiction, retirement (including pensions and gratuities), housing, taxation and PRSI and much more.
In addition, my Department funds a confidential counselling, referral and support service for serving members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and Civil Defence volunteers. The service provides confidential counselling on a wide range of personal and work related issues, including but not limited to health, relationships, addictions, financial, bereavement, stress, conflict, critical incident and trauma. In the case of relationship counselling, the spouse or partner may also attend the counselling sessions.
A Freephone confidential helpline is available on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year. The helpline is staffed by fully-trained and experienced counsellors. The helpline provides for referral to appointment-based telephone or face-to-face counselling. Face-to-face counselling is provided on a national basis, i.e. in locations around the country. Written (e-mail and letter) access to the service is also provided.