NEW DELHI, Dec 11: The Indian Army has witnessed 69 suicide cases among its ranks this year besides an incident of fratricide, the government said today.
In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh said major reasons for such incidents include occupational hazards, family issues, domestic problems, perceived grievances, personal issues, mental built, financial problems and inability to withstand stress.
As per the date given by him, 334 Army personnel have committed suicide since 2012 besides eight cases of fratricide in the same period.
The Navy has witnessed 12 cases of suicide since 2012 with zero cases of fratricide.
The Air Force has seen 67 cases of suicide among its ranks since 2012 and only one case of fratricide.
“A large number of officers have been trained, as counsellors, to provide psychological counselling to the defence personnel and their families.
“Civilian psychological counsellors have also been employed, to provide mental health services. A psychologist visit units and formations from time to time and carries out psychological counselling, individually and at times in groups,” the Minister said.
In another reply, Singh said there has been no rise in the number of personnel leaving defence services after 20 years of service, except for sailors in Navy.
He said the number of sailors leaving Navy after initial engagement of 15/20 years is on the rise.
“This is largely due to availability of alternate vocations,” the Minister said. (PTI)
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