Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:198 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether soldiers serving in Ireland may contract depression as a direct result of their service in the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8973/00]
Vol. 516 No. 6
198 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether soldiers serving in Ireland may contract depression as a direct result of their service in the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8973/00]
The military medical authorities advise that there is no reason to believe that the incidence of depressive illness among members of the Defence Forces is different from that of the general population or that, where depressive illness does occur, it is related to or is a direct result of military service.
The Defence Forces have a comprehensive stress awareness and stress management policy, a chaplaincy service, a personnel support service which includes civilian social workers and trained military counsellors, and the Medical Corps provides or co-ordinates medical treatment for personnel when this is indicated or requested.