Trigger Warning: This article contains discussions about mental health challenges and issues, including stress, trauma, and self-harming, in the context of military service. Some readers may find this content emotionally sensitive. Please read with care.
“Mr X” had successfully served in the army for over 15 years, which included multiple deployments in high-stress conflict areas. To his colleagues and subordinates, he was calm, disciplined and unshakable, but when he returned home after a very intense posting, he found himself unable to sleep, easily irritable plagued by flashbacks of loss and gunfire. He avoided talking about it, fearing it would be labelled as unfit. Months later, his family persuaded him to see a psychiatrist for the first time,
That was just one story. Beneath the uniform, many soldiers carry emotional scars that remain invisible and untreated. This article will explore the urgent need to address and destigmatise mental health within the Indian armed forces and why acknowledging this struggle is a step towards strength, not a weakness.
The Indian armed forces represent strength, valour, and discipline. However, behind this forbade lies an often overlooked reality, the mental health of service members. Despite growing awareness of psychological well-being being society, the mental health needs of Indian defence personnel remain under-addressed. The stigma, lack of access and institutional silence around mental distress continue to be significant barriers, making it imperative to bring this issue into the limelight.
The image of a soldier, strong, fearless, and emotionally resilient, has long symbolised national pride and valour. Yet beneath this image lies a less visible truth; many Service members remain reluctant to seek help due to stigma, fear of judgement or institutional barriers ( Hoge et.al.,2004). This article will explore the hidden emotional toll of military life and emphasise the need to destigmatise mental health care in the armed forces.
The Emotional Burden Behind the Uniform
Military services expose individuals to extreme stressors: combat, death, moral conflicts, long deployments and family seperation. These experiences can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Research shows that up to 20% of veterans from recent conflicts experience PTSD (Kessler et.al., 2005)
In India, the Indian Military’s mental health has also come into focus. A study by Jiloha (2011) highlighted increasing stress, suicides and behavioural health issues in armed forces personnel. However, due to a lack of awareness or access to support, many of these conditions remain undiagnosed and untreated.
A report submitted to the Indian parliament (2022) highlighted that over 1,100 self-harm deaths occurred in the armed forces over the past decade, with more than 700 from the army alone. These numbers point to a systematic mental health crisis that often goes unnoticed or unspoken.
Barriers to Seeking Help
Despite the availability of some mental health services, significant stigma remains. Military culture often rewards stoicism, and service members may fear that disclosing mental distress will affect their reputation or career(Green-Shortridge et al. 2007). Some believe that admitting emotional difficulty could lead to being deemed “unfit to duty”
- Cultural stigma– within military culture, seeking mental health support is often perceived as a sign of weakness. Admitting emotional difficulties may be viewed as a lack of discipline, which leads many to suppress their struggles.
- Fear of consequences— soldiers fear being declared medically unfit or losing their chance at promotions. The perception that mental illness might appear in medical records and affect their service profile worsens the hesitation.
- Lack of access– many postings are in remote areas with little or no access to psychologists or counsellors. And if such services exist, often unutilized due to confidentiality concerns or stigma.
Need For Destigmatization
The consequences of ignoring mental health are serious, like burnout, suicide, strained relationships, and decreased operational performance (Britt et.al. 2008). Destigmatising psychological help through education, policy change, and leadership modelling saves lives and strengthens military effectiveness.
When leaders normalise mental health discussions and prioritise psychological well-being. It cultivates resilience and cohesion among troops. People must reframe seeking help as a sign of strength, not a liability.
Progress and Initiatives
Several global and national efforts are working to address this serious issue:
- The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS )- now this service includes trained Psychologists at military hospitals across commands to provide psychological and emotional support.
- Manodarpan, A mental health initiative under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, while focused on students and teachers. Represents India’s growing acknowledgement of psychological well-being institutions. While this focused on institutions, sometimes people from outside institutional settings people called over there to share their personal issues, this could serve as a model for a defence environment.
- Tele-counselling, some confidential helplines for armed forces personnel are being piloted in some commands to encourage anonymous and stigma-free conversations
In other nations, embedded psychologists, trauma-informed care and confidential helplines like (military oneSource in the US) are making support more accessible. Peer support programs have also proven effective, allowing soldiers to talk with trained colleagues in a safe, relatable environment ( Pietrzak et.al, 2009)
The Role of Military Leadership
Leadership plays a vital role in any institution or group. In the military, a change must begin at the top. Commanding officer and senior leadership set the tone for unit culture. When leaders openly address mental health, share experiences or encourage counselling without being judgmental, it normalises the psychological support.
Incorporating mental health literacy into officer training and induction programs can help future leaders identify early signs of distress among troops and respond with empathy rather than discipline.
Build a Supportive Ecosystem
To foster a long-term change, the following steps are vital:
- Mandatory annual psychological screenings, including physical checkups.
- Peer support programs- training officers and jawans as mental health advocates within their units.
- Family education sessions– especially for spouses of soldiers, to help them recognise and support mental health needs post-deployment.
Veteran Reintegration Support
As many ex-servicemen report emotional challenges in adjusting to civilian life, this support helps them to adjust to their changed environment.
Real-life voices
An anonymous ex-army chief shared, “You are taught to suppress pain. You are on duty 24×7, but no one prepares you for what happens in your mind after the firing ends”. These kinds of stories reflect the inner turmoil. Many veterans and active personnel often carry silence.
Conclusion
The mental health challenges faced by members of the Indian armed forces are not isolated cases of individual vulnerability; they are systemic, deeply rooted in a culture that prizes emotional endurance over psychological well-being. The silent struggle of personnel grappling with stress. trauma, anxiety and emotional fatigue must be acknowledged as integral to their overall fitness and operational readiness.
India has taken early steps through AFMS mental health initiatives, tele-counselling trials and partnership with institutions like NIMHANS. However, meaningful progress will depend on how deeply these are embedded into military life as a proactive care system. Ultimately, honouring our armed forces includes ensuring they have the tools to not only survive battlefields but also to heal from them. Addressing these invisible wounds is a step towards building a stronger, more resilient force that thrives both in uniform and beyond.
References +
Iloha, R. C. (2011). Psychological aspects of peacekeeping operations. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 20(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-6748.98407
Kessler, R. C., Sonnega, A., Bromet, E., Hughes, M., & Nelson, C. B. (1995). Posttraumatic stress disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey. Archives of General Psychiatry, 52(12), 1048–1060. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1995.03950240066012
Ministry of Defence. (2022). Parliamentary report on suicides in the armed forces. Government of India.
Pietrzak, R. H., Johnson, D. C., Goldstein, M. B., Malley, J. C., & Southwick, S. M. (2009). Psychological resilience and postdeployment social support protect against traumatic stress and depressive symptoms in soldiers returning from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Depression and Anxiety, 26(8), 745–751. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20558
Pillay, R. (2018, August 15). Suicide among Indian soldiers: The enemy within. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2018/08/suicide-among-indian-soldiers-the-enemy-within/
A 2024 Indian Air Force study evaluated a week‑long multidisciplinary training for officers and instructors, showing improved knowledge of mentorship and mental health, and increased self‑perceived competence in addressing distress.
Industrial Psychiatry Journal: Mental health literacy among troops. A 2023 study (at AFMC, Pune) recruited 1,200 soldiers and assessed their mental health literacy and psychological status via the GHQ‑12 (General Health Questionnaire).
Armed Forces Evidence Centre: www.centreforevidence.org/article/20240301-building-psychological-resilience-in-armed-forces-worldwide
DRDO Publications: publications.drdo.gov.in/ojs/index.php/dlsj/article/view/10819
CISF Suicide Reduction via Work‑Life Balance.
In 2024, the CISF reported a 40% drop in suicides (from 25 in 2023 to 15 in 2024), attributed to improved work–life balance policies, counselling, and support initiatives.
