Army takes welfare steps to curb suicides
■ In 2018, the Army lost 67 senior rank officers to suicide
As the country celebrates Army Day on January 15, it may be pertinent to reflect on the suicide rate in the three Indian Armed Forces. The most number of suicides have been reported in the Army, followed by the Air Force and then the Navy.
In 2016-17 alone, 100 officers of Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) rank killed themselves. In 2018, the Army lost 67 senior rank officers to suicide. Each of the three forces saw a different tendency in the suicides. Between
2014 and 2017, 326 senior rank army officers 16 sailors and 67 flying officers killed themselves.
Investigation into these suicides revealed reasons such as family issues /domestic problems, marital discord, perceived grievances and personal issues.
In answer to a question on the high suicide rate in the army, Chief of the Army staff General Bipin Rawat, who was visiting Hyderabad in December
2018, had replied that “one should look at it as the suicide in humanity and not army specific.”
Dr Subhash Bhamra, Minister of state, Ministry of Defence said that “various steps have been taken by the Armed Forces to create a healthy /appropriate environment for their officers and other ranks. Some of these steps are provision of better quality of facilities such as clothing, food, married accommodation, travel facilities, schooling, recreation etc.” He said welfare meetings are held periodically in Army camps and yoga and meditation are used for stress management. “During every training session a psychological counsellor is deployed. Projects like MILAP and SAHYOG have been implemented by the Northern & Eastern Command to reduce stress among troops. A 'Mansik Sahayata Helpline' has been established by the Army and Air Force to provide professional counselling. Mental health awareness is provided during pre-induction training."