The Fourth External Review Panel on SAF Safety (ERPSS) made its first field visit to the Mental Health Office (MHO) at Kranji Camp III today. During the visit, members of the panel were updated on the SAF safety performance and were briefed on the various aspects of the SAF mental health support systems. These systems help NSFs cope with their National Service (NS) journey and provide the necessary support to service personnel on mental health matters. They also visited the Care Hub and interacted with medical doctors, psychologists, counsellors and orientation officers who work closely with commanders to provide mental health support to servicemen throughout their NS journey.

Chairman of the fourth ERPSS, Mr Yam Ah Mee commented the SAF on the continued effort to enhance its safety systems and culture. He said, “It is heartening to see that the SAF has undertaken the recommendations from the ERPSS over the years. This visit to the Mental Health Office provided useful insights into the SAF mental health support systems. The SAF has in place a robust mental health care system which is in line with the national priority on mental health. This clearly shows that the SAF is committed to enhancing not just the physical well-being but also the mental well-being of our service personnel. The SAF also has a dedicated team of healthcare professionals in the Care Hubs that allow easy access for service personnel to benefit from the robust psychological care provided by the team.” Another panel member, Dr. Mark Leong Kwok Fai from Singapore General Hospital (SGH), also spoke on the importance of mental health support in the SAF, “Ready and Resilient soldiers are critical human resource for the SAF. Actively promoting and ensuring their mental well-being helps them attain their competencies through training while operating within a safe and supportive culture.”

Since its inception in 2013, ERPSS has made 32 visits and witnessed both local and overseas training and exercises conducted across various SAF formations and units. The panel comprises relevant experts and professionals from industries and academia sectors, and the varied backgrounds and experiences of the ERPSS members serve to capture a broad spectrum of views and perspectives on safety best practices to strengthen the SAF’s safety management system and processes. Inaugurated in May 2024, the fourth ERPSS will serve a three-year tenure and continue to visit Service and Joint-Level training and exercises, including large scale exercises overseas, to evaluate the SAF’s safety practices and recommend improvements to build a stronger safety system and culture in the SAF.