Soldiers' body highlights absence of psychiatrists in Defence Forces
The Defence Forces (IDF) is currently without a psychiatrist for their personnel and are currently outsourcing mental health services for their members who are in distress.
The Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA), which is the National Executive for the army, naval service and air corps, is highlighting the issue following a report commissioned by military management on the provision of mental health services.
The report acknowledged that there is likely to be an increase in the uptake of services where awareness of the importance of mental health increases, and where the IDF becomes involved in missions of increasing hostility for their personnel.
General Secretary of the PDFORRA, Gerard Guinan, said about the decision: "There are various levels of care within the Defence Forces. The fact remains that psychiatrists are essential as they provide a clinical diagnosis. Subsequent to receipt of a diagnosis the other service like psychologists and counsellors kick in".
He added: "The Defence Forces employ excellent personnel in the Barrack Personnel Support Services sphere. However, it is extremely difficult for these personnel to fully assist when the clinical diagnosis is absent".
"Currently, a significant number of personnel are being outsourced to the public system for initial diagnosis".
Mr. Guinan also explained that the PDFORRA has proposed for pension abatement not to be applied to new entrants. This way, HSE psychiatrists would be allowed to retain their HSE pensions where applicable and have their pensions in turn “topped up” by a Defence Forces salary.
What is currently on offer would mean that a new entrant would only get a Defence Forces salary.
"The PDFORRA have been campaigning for a long while for the provision of better services for our members. The Victor Murtagh case was well known within the Defence Forces and has been in the legal system for quite some time".
The Victor Murtagh case that Mr. Guinan is referring to occurred back in July of 2008, where Mr. Murtagh, a former soldier in the IDF, was awarded damages by the State for the army's failure to diagnose and treat him for intense psychological injuries he sustained while in the Lebanon more than 30 years ago.
The State appealed the case last year but lost its case.
However, Mr. Murtagh did have his initial damages payment of over €300,000 halved to €150,000.
Mr. Guinan also pointed out that the level of trauma experienced by military personnel is different with everyone and differs depending upon the situation. He referred to studies that emphasised how important it is to have early intervention in post traumatic events, especially in the case of soldiers suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can manifest itself years after a distressing event.
On a daily basis, Defence Force personnel can find themselves involved in situations that most members of the public will never encounter. Some of these may include missing person searches and recovering bodies from rivers, as well as peace keeping duties in volatile countries and/or the death of a fellow colleague in tragic circumstances or in the line of duty.
He said: "The Defence Forces is, and has always been, a difficult career. However, it is always has the potential to change due to advances in science, medicine etc. Modern medicine and science have shown the damage that can be done by traumatic events. If one considers that years ago personnel could have been executed for cowardice during periods of shell shock, we have rightly come to recognise this as an illness brought on by harrowing events".
"I believe as science and medicine advances there is a need to appropriately care for members of society and members of the Defence Forces in a proper manner" said Mr. Guinan.
As for advice for IDF members struggling with mental health issues, Mr. Guinan gave this advice: "Don’t suffer in silence. Reach out through the Barrack Personnel Support Service Officer (BPSSO) service or care call or the Medical Services or Samaritans. Make the call. I heard a recent radio interview with a brave young jockey from Kildare who explained his condition and his advice was particularly resonant- make the call, you’re not the first and you won’t be the last person to experience difficulty, don’t suffer in silence".
With the strong presence the IDF have in Kildare, their wish to employ a psychiatrist(s) to ensure the welfare of their members will likely serve as a much welcome proposal for soldiers struggling with their mental health.
Anyone wishing to enquire further information about the PDFORRA can contact them at their website, www.hq@pdfora.ie or on 01 671 2484.
