NS have counselling hotlines for you to call if need arises.
The
counsellors are experienced professionals.
You can
call them at the following counselling hotlines:
If you
think you have been treated unfairly, you can bring up the case to
your Commander. We will listen to your case. Do remember to bring
along all facts and supporting documents.
We will
do our best to address your concerns. Servicemen are to seek
redress through proper channels. Together, we can address your
issue more expeditiously.
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COUNSELLING
The SAF seeks to promote the well-being of every
serviceman by providing
counselling support for those whom might be facing difficulties
coping with their
personal or work/training related problems. Servicemen who are
experiencing
difficulties can seek help through the avenues described
below.
Commander
interviews of all recruits are conducted within 48
hours of enlistment into full-time NS. Regular interviews are
subsequently conducted on a monthly basis during the PTP/BMT phase.
Special interviews are also granted upon request. Servicemen can
highlight their difficulties during these interviews for
assistance.
Orientation
Officers identify, assist and counsel BMT recruits
with adjustment
and/or other personal problems.
NS SAF Counselling
Hotline is a 24-hour confidential telephone
counselling service provided by the SAF Counselling Centre. Manned
by
trained counselling personnel, the SAF Counselling Hotline offers a
crisis
and telephone counselling service to all servicemen. Callers
may
choose to remain anonymous. Face to face counselling is also
available
at the SAF Counselling Centre upon request/referral.
SAF Paracounselling Scheme complements other existing
counselling
services and provides another avenue of help at the unit level for
those who
need help to deal more effectively with their problems.
Paracounsellors are
specially selected, trained by and work closely under the
professional guidance
and support of counsellors from the SAF Counselling Centre.
Paracounsellors
can be identified through their identification badges as well as
through publicity
posters displayed in their units.
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Being
psychologically prepared is all about knowing what to expect and
being prepared for it.
To be
better prepared, you can participate in Total Defence activities
and Open Houses organised by the SAF/SPF/SCDF.
Perhaps
you should also talk to your family members and friends who have
lived the NS experience. The more you discuss with others, the more
comfortable and mentally prepared you’ll become.
Because
NS life is different from civilian life before enlistment, there
are many adjustments you need to make.
A good
way to cope is to get support from your buddy and fellow recruits.
They are going through the same tough training as you, so talking
to one another will help relieve some tension.
In most
evenings during your leisure time, you’ll also have some time to
call your family or loved ones to talk. They can give you emotional
support during NS.
You can
have a one-on-one interview sessions with your officer to highlight
any problems you may have. If you have a personal or family problem
that need to be addressed, do let the officer know—he may be able
to give you some advice or time off to settle your
problems.
Life in
NS revolves around structure, routine and discipline. This helps us
stay united as a uniformed organisation as well as imparts the
rigours necessary to protect our nation and citizens.
This
does not mean there is just work and no play. In fact, after a few
weeks in NS and you’ll find new friends and new reasons to
smile!
As a
soldier, one of the biggest adjustments you’ll have to make quickly
is in regimentation and discipline.
Being in
a uniformed organisation, you’ll have to obey orders from your
superiors. Thus some of you may feel a sudden lack of freedom to do
what you want and you may find yourself having difficulties
accepting authority initially.
Regimentation and
discipline build strong character and toughness, so that you’ll be
tough enough to handle difficult combat, crime-fighting or rescue
situations without giving up or breaking down.
When you
first enlist into NS, you may have concerns of being in a new
territory, with new faces and new things to do. But don’t let this
get to you. Just remember the saying that “when the going gets
tough, the tough gets going”.
Following are some tips on what you can
do to prepare yourself psychologically:
You can
also speak to your friends or family members who have been through
NS. Ask them to share their stories. The sharing will help you
reduce some of your fears, uncertainties and doubts.
During
NS you’ll be living with different people.
Because
these people come from different backgrounds, they may not think
like you do or react to situations like you would. Instead of
trying to select your type of people, you should cherish the
diversity. This is a chance for you to learn more about your fellow
mates and their cultures.
You’ll
find that you have many opportunities to absorb the different
cultures—during training, eating, chatting or just seeing and
listening. Take these opportunities and learn from people around
you, you’ll have a much better appreciation of Singapore’s cultural
diversity.