A recent study from the United Service Institution of India (USI), a Service think tank, unveiled alarming findings. Over half of Indian Army personnel appear to be dealing with severe stress. Surprisingly, suicide rates, fratricides and other tragedies among army personnel exceed those resulting from enemy or terrorist actions. Continuous exposure of Indian Army personnel to counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations is considered a significant contributor to increasing stress levels.
Resilience Waning Among Officers and Soldiers
An unexpected casualty of this stressful environment is the higher-than-average incidence of hypertension, heart disease, psychosis, neurosis and related ailments among soldiers and their leaders. Interestingly, officers are enduring higher cumulative stress compared to Junior Commissioned Officers (JCO) and other ranks. The factors leading to this stress also differ.
Detrimental Causes of Stress Among the Ranks
For Army officers, several issues are triggering added stress. These include insufficient resources, excessive responsibilities, frequent relocations, flawed leadership, biased promotions, and insufficiencies in living conditions. Civilian officials’ indifference adds to these pressing concerns.
Lower-ranking officials, on the other hand, are grappling with their own set of problems. These involve domestic difficulties, lack of respect, conflict with seniors and subordinates, excessive work commitments, and deficiency in recreational facilities.
Impact of Stress on Army’s Combat Preparedness and Efficiency
Unmistakably, stress within units and sub-units breeds consequences. An uptick in disciplinary issues, poor maintenance of equipment, inadequate training, and diminished morale threatens combat readiness and operational performance.
Considering these ramifications, it becomes imperative for the army to treat stress prevention and management as a critical leadership responsibility at unit and formation level.
The Army’s Response to the Findings
The Army, however, has dismissed these findings. They argue that the survey’s limited sample size of around 400 soldiers cannot lead to conclusive results that can be generalized across the whole army.
Steps Being Taken to Alleviate Stress Among Personnel
Despite the Army’s stand, several steps have been taken to improve conditions for personnel. These include better quality clothing, food, married accommodation, travel facilities, schooling, recreation, and regular welfare meetings.
Specific strategies to manage stress, such as yoga and meditation, have been implemented. Mental health awareness is prioritized during pre-induction training. Moreover, initiatives like ‘MILAP’ and ‘SAHYOG,’ along with a mental health helpline, have been implemented to curb stress.
Psychological counselors have been trained and deployed, and several Mental Health Centres have been established across various locations.
Past Studies and Recommended Measures
Previously, the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) found in its studies that delayed leaves were a significant stress factor leading to suicidal behavior among troops. Recommendations included reducing workload, improving living conditions, increasing pay, establishing better interpersonal relations, providing stress management training and ensuring grievances are addressed.