Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2022
110. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence the measures in place to ensure the health and well-being, particularly mental health, of Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13376/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA wide range of medical services are provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force. These include an annual medical examination, sick parades, attendance at GP surgery outside of sick parade and out-of-hours GP services, prescription services, laboratory services, physiotherapy, chiropody, radiology, ophthalmic examinations, in-patient and outpatient public hospital charges, routine dental treatment and the provision of overseas medical services, including global comprehensive medical insurance in the case of Defence Forces personnel (including dependents) assigned to longer term overseas administrative posts.
Commissioned Officers and members of the Army Nursing Service may also avail of private consultant appointments and diagnostic tests, and private/semi-private hospital treatment dependent on rank. The Programme for Government contains a committment to "ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to health care as officers currently do". A Working Group has been established with a view to bringing forward proposals on this matter.
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, and there are currently two Clinical Psychologists employed by the Defence Forces. Psychiatry services specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. There is currently one dedicated civilian consultant psychiatrist engaged by the Defence Forces.
In addition to these clinical supports, non-medical mental health services are provided by the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service (PSS). The 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 PSS Officers and civilian Occupational Social Workers. 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.
The Defence Forces, through the PSS and working closely with the HSE, has and continues to engage in mental health education programmes for all members of the Defence Forces. These programmes include:
- Issuing an "Information Guide on Mental Health and Well Being in the Defence Forces";
- Providing access to "Mental Fitness" programmes through the Defence Forces Intranet;
- Providing Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training to all PSS personnel;
- Conducting Skills Training on Risk Management in suicide and self-harm mitigation (STORM) training with all overseas units;
- Conducting Safe Talk training throughout the Defence Forces;
- Providing Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training for all personnel;
- Issuing and giving presentations on "Defence Forces Guidelines on Suicide";
- Running courses on "Suicide and Self Harm Awareness"; and
- Providing Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) in conjunction with the HSE.
The Mental Health Wellbeing Strategy for the Defence Forces, which was launched on 2 December 2020, recognises the unique nature of the experience of military life in Ireland. The aim of the strategy is to provide a coordinated and effective mental health and support system for the personnel of the Defence Forces through the adoption of a series of measures between 2020 and 2023.
Eight supporting objectives (Governance, Resilience, Suicide, Stigma, Critical Incident Stress Management, a Comprehensive Approach, Military Families and a Model for Clinical Support) have been identified as essential components of the strategy to support the principal aim. It is intended that at the end of 2023, mental health and wellbeing support within the Defence Forces will be delivered in a coordinated, multi-disciplinary and directed manner that is designed to produce the best outcomes for the organisation and the military personnel and their families.
On 2nd November 2020, the Deputy Chief Of Staff (Support) issued an order for the convening of the Defence Forces Mental Health and Wellbeing Standing Committee which has responsibility for the implementation of the strategy. The Committee is chaired by the Officer In Charge of the Defence Forces Personnel Support Services and includes representatives of all subject matter experts in the area of mental health and wellbeing within the Defence Forces.
The Standing Committee has selected 15 milestones from the strategy for consideration. Each milestone has been allocated to a working group consisting of selected members of the Standing Committee and other key personnel and subject matter experts as required. Work plans have been created and the Working Groups report monthly to a full meeting of the Standing Committee. At these meetings progress achieved is assessed and guidance offered to counter obstacles or to provide direction for action.
Currently half of the milestones identified within the strategy are being addressed and it is expected that working groups will be stood up to address the remaining milestones during 2022. Some of the key milestones address issues regarding the support of families. The Standing Committee will produce a report at the end of 2023 and will be in a position to develop a follow on Mental Health Strategy for 2024-2029, which will look to build on the progress achieved and ensure the effective delivery of mental health and wellbeing within the Defence Forces to the end of the decade.
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. A Freephone confidential helpline is available on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year. The helpline provides for referral to appointment-based telephone or face-to-face counselling.
While I am satisfied that the available services offer comprehensive supports to Defence Forces members, I can assure the Deputy that they are kept under constant review.
