Effectiveness of "Platoon Commander Interviews" to Address Mental Health Issues of NSmen
Ministry of DefenceSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the efficacy of Platoon Commander (PC) interviews in addressing mental health concerns, as raised by Mr Ong Teng Koon. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen stated that regular one-to-one interviews in Basic Military Training and units help commanders identify personal issues and facilitate professional referrals. While PC interviews are not mandated for officers, the Minister noted that superiors engage them informally to identify and provide support. Additionally, the SAF maintains a support network of unit para-counsellors, psychiatrists, and a 24-hour counselling hotline accessible to all servicemen. These measures ensure ground commanders play a critical role alongside professionals in monitoring the mental well-being and adjustment of both enlistees and officers.
Transcript
79 Mr Ong Teng Koon asked the Minister for Defence whether he can provide an update on the efficacy of "Platoon Commander Interviews" as an avenue to address mental health concerns of National Servicemen and whether such interviews can be extended to enlistees holding the rank of officers.
Dr Ng Eng Hen: The SAF has a support system in place to monitor our national servicemen's mental well-being and extend support to those facing challenges in their personal lives or adjustments to military life. Besides counsellors and para-counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists, ground commanders too play an important role within this support system.
The Platoon Commander (or PC) Interview is one example. Carried out at regular intervals during Basic Military Training (BMT) and in units, this is a platform for one-to-one conversations between servicemen and their commanders. Based on our experience, it has helped our commanders to identify servicemen under their charge who are experiencing NS-related or personal problem or other mental health concern. The commanders would then extend first level advice and support or refer the servicemen for counselling or other professional interventions where necessary.
Mr Ong asked if PC interviews can be extended to NSF officers. While regular interviews are not mandated for officers, all commanders engage their officers regularly to identify and support those who require assistance, including those with mental health concerns. Apart from these informal interviews with their superiors, the whole support network of counselling and helplines is available and accessible to officers. As part of our overall support system, there are trained para-counsellors in every unit to provide frontline counselling services as well as a 24-hour counselling hotline for all servicemen.