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Enhance suicide preventive measures in the SAF and Home Team

Since the start of 2018, there have been at least six reported deaths in Singapore’s uniformed forces that were a result of suicide. These involved both regulars and full-time national servicemen, including some in their 20s.

Enhance suicide preventive measures in the SAF and Home Team
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Since the start of 2018, there have been at least six reported deaths in Singapore’s uniformed forces that were a result of suicide. These involved both regulars and full-time national servicemen, including some in their 20s.

According to the Samaritans of Singapore, males account for more than 71 per cent of all suicides in 2018 and suicide remains the leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 29. As such, it may be time to consider a gender-based approach to suicide prevention in Singapore.

With regards to the suicides of two Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen — one a regular serviceman and the other a full-time national serviceman — in July and September 2018 respectively on SAF premises, the state coroner did not identify any contributory factors related to their commanders or colleagues, national service or work that could have led to them taking their own lives.

The causes of suicide are complex, with contributing factors that can range from environmental to biological to social and psychological. And there is no one solution. In a challenging, intense and regimented environment like the military, civil defence and police force, such factors are likely to be amplified.

As such, what are the measures that the SAF and Home Team have put in place at different stages of a serviceman’s service journey to better support them emotionally and psychologically so as to prevent future tragic acts of suicide?

Moving forward, we should consider enhancing the public health approach to suicide prevention in the SAF and Home Team and this should include:

  • Publishing an annual suicide report that will further enhance data transparency and surveillance and monitor the progress of preventive measures. 
  • Greater focus on programme evaluation that involves not only positive outcomes but also reducing barriers to care and strengthening emotional management and avenues where servicemen can seek help in a conducive and confidential manner.
  • Investment in enhanced private and public collaboration in assisting regular servicemen in their transition to civilian life.  

We should also strengthen existing support for family members whose loved ones had committed or attempted suicide.  

The Singapore Police Force's Psychological Services Division, the SAF Counselling Centre and the Singapore Civil Defence Force's Care Management Team should also be merged and preventive measures coordinated under one expanded department in the Central Manpower Base.  

This could lay the foundation for a national response to suicide prevention among our uniformed servicemen.

Have views on this issue or a news topic you care about? Send your letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.

Related topics

suicide SAF SCDF Home Team Singapore Police Force

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