Reply to Media Queries on SMS’ Reply to Parliamentary Question on Number of and Support for SAF Personnel suffering from PTSD

As enlistees and regulars are drawn from the general population, the incidence and range of psychological disorders among Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel will generally reflect the general population's characteristics. These psychological disorders can range from conditions like depression to psychosis, similar to that manifested in the wider Singaporean population. The incidence of mental health conditions among full-time national servicemen is about 4%, lower than the 7% national incidence of Singaporeans age 18-34, as reported in a 2012 study by the Institute of Mental Health.

The one serviceman who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after his overseas deployment has been undergoing regular treatments, fully subsidised by MINDEF, following his diagnosis. MINDEF/SAF respects the privacy of our servicemen and given the confidential nature of medical records and operations, we are unable to provide further details.