“If domestic problems of soldiers can be taken care of, their stress levels will come down”
The Defence Institute of Psychological Research, a premier institute of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, interviewed about 2,000 soldiers in the eastern and northern commands to understand what led soldiers to commit suicide and fratricide. The findings, submitted to the defence ministry in January 2007, revealed that the main reason was discontent over leave and occupational hazards. Till now, only officer aspirants and those being screened for deputation to the National Security Guard were subjected to psychological screening. Now the DIPR has developed an entry-level personality test, expected to be in place this year for all aspiring troopers. The aim is to eliminate candidates possessing 'negative psychological traits'. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, DIPR director Dr Manas Kumar Mandal spoke of the programme and the challenges faced by soldiers. Excerpts:
What is DIPR's role in the selection of soldiers?
As of now all officers have to undergo a psychological test [at entry level]. The world over, selection of [army] officers is based on a psychological test. The difference between India and other countries is that, elsewhere they depend more on reasoning intelligence, while we bank on a personality-basis system.
Is DIPR developing a psychology test for all aspiring soldiers?
We have developed an Other-Rank Selection System for persons below officer rank. The trial is already on and we have handed over the system to the Army. The procedure is to test their reasoning and intelligence abilities and also their personality. Our effort is to find a person's positive traits and ensure absence of negative traits. Our role at DIPR is to develop technical consultancy, the questionnaire, social situations and certain conflict situations and then expose the candidates to these situations and observe their reaction.
When is this test going to start?
By the end of this year. It took us three and a half years to develop this system. It is a huge exercise keeping in view the manpower of the Army. We have already trained officers for the system. It will take around 15 minutes. Every soldier has to go through the test, which will help us recruit mentally strong soldiers.
What do you think is the reason behind the spurt in the number of suicides in the Army?
We did a study on suicides in the Army two years ago and we made certain recommendations. As part of these recommendations, now we are going to have the Other-Rank Selection System. There is no specific cause for suicides. The vulnerability at the field is so much that any normal person can break down. This is a tough service and then fighting those insurgencies... But I would say that it is not significantly above the national average. If domestic problems of soldiers can be taken care of, their stress levels will come down significantly.
Has deployment to fight insurgencies made soldiers more prone to suicides?
The armed forces like to give soldiers as much respite as possible. Yet their job is very challenging and their working environment is very harsh. It is because the forces are very disciplined and highly trained that they tolerate stress. There is an argument that cellphones lead to higher levels of stress. There was a suggestion to ban use of mobile phones by soldiers posted in troubled areas. I don't believe in this argument and we have never suggested it. We have said in our report that the cellphone helps soldiers to get rid of isolation. As a military psychologist, I think it should not be banned.
Are Indian men more prone to suicide?
No, not at all. In our country, our religions, principles and social practices absorb shock in a much better way than western societies.
How important is the role of leadership in tackling suicides?
I think the leadership must be able to take care of unwanted things in society. Today we are advocating bottom-driven leadership, a leader who can initiate a kind of activity that can be generated at the bottom level. In future wars, we believe that a leader may not be in a position to command many people. So handling a small team effectively is going to be crucial. The leadership concept is changing. In a conventional war, the leadership concept is altogether different from an unconventional one. You may have to sit somewhere and give directions.
What makes a soldier prone to suicide?
An individual resorts to suicide when all other resources are exhausted and all attempts to cope with the situation have failed. The common factors that are responsible for suicide in the military include prolonged work in inhospitable terrain, constant exposure to violence and apathetic attitude of superior officers. Most suicide crises are limited in terms of time and will pass if help is provided. Most people communicate their intention at some point before committing suicide.
Is the triggering factor of suicide and fratricide different?
When a person is frustrated, his frustration can either get converted into aggression or depression. If it is aggression it becomes fratricide; if it is depression it becomes suicide. Both are self-defeating patterns of behaviour.
BOX Story
Six myths about suicide
Myth: Talking about suicide encourages suicide attempts
Fact: It actually decreases possibility of suicide
Myth: People who try to kill themselves must be mentally ill
Fact: 3 out of 4 people have no sign of mental illness before their death.
Myth: Most suicides occur with little or no warning
Fact: Suicides doesn't occur suddenly. There are some warning signs like sudden mood changes in behavior, restlessness, depression.
Myth: People who threaten suicide don't do it
Fact: Most people communicate their intention for suicide at some time before actually doing it.
Myth: Once a person attempts suicides, he will not do it again
Fact: 50% of successful suicide victims have attempted suicide previously.
Myth: Once suicidal, a person remains suicidal forever
Fact: Most suicidal crises are limited in terms of time, and will pass, if help is provided
(Source: Defence Institute of Psychological Research)
BOX
Army casualty in counter insurgency operations
2007 - 83
2008 -64
2009 -48
2010 -13
Total - 208
(Source: defence ministry)
Causalities in suicides in Army
2007 - 112
2008 - 124
2009 -] 89
2010 (till May 31) - 43
(Source: defence ministry)
(JULY 25, 2010, THE WEEK)
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