New Delhi, July 20: A total of 819 Indian armed forces personnel died by suicide in the last five years, with the Indian Army reporting a maximum of 642 such cases. In a written reply to a question in the Indian Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt has said the Indian Air Force reported 148 cases of suicide in the said period, while the number in the Indian Navy was 29.
The minister's reply came following a question on the number of servicemen and ex-servicemen who committed suicide in the last five years.
"For management of stress and suicides in services, the armed forces are continuously evolving measures to improve the stress mitigating mechanisms. An elaborate mental health programme has been formulated and is in vogue since 2009," Mr Bhatt said. He said various mechanisms to observe and identify armed forces personnel with problems such as depression and suicidal tendencies are in place. "Personnel at high risk of stress are identified and counselled by unit commanding officers, regimental medical officers and junior leaders as per laid down procedures," the minister said.