An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 31 Personnel Support Services (PSS) provides a wide range of psychological and social support to members of the Defence Forces. These PSS services, provided by appro- priately qualified and skilled personnel, include stress management programmes, addiction counselling, suicidal ideation counselling, general wellbeing counselling, resilience training and exit programmes for members leaving the Forces. The work of PSS is highly valued and is a natural complement not only to human resources man- agement but also in maintaining operational effectiveness by personnel and units in often difficult situations and circumstances at home and overseas. The PSS forms an integral part of the DHRM Section at DFHQ, Brigade and Service level. It is a confidential information, education, support and referral service, designed to give Defence Forces personnel access to information and services both from within and outside of the military community. Defence Forces recognises the value of the individual to the organisation and provides this resource for its personnel and their families, which arise from the duty of care the organisation has to its members. The welfare of the soldier has always been empha- sised to commanders at all levels and the PSS is a natural progression to this ethos in that it assists commanders in maintaining the well being and morale of personnel by providing specialised services. The PSS Mission is: "to provide a welfare, information, psycho-so- cial support and referral service, that is professional, responsive and confidential, to serving members of the Defence Forces and their families and to civilian employees, and in a limited role to veterans, to sustain and enhance the individual well being of personnel, and to promote a safe and positive work culture in order to support the effectiveness of the Defence Forces." The function of the Personnel Support Service is, through the BPSSO and Social Worker Network in each Formation, who pro- vide immediate help to service personnel and their families in a time of crises situation. This can range from the simple provision of information to counselling or if required, referral to specialist help and assistance. Listed below are a range of the services and functions that our ex- perienced and dedicated teams of BPSSO's and Social Workers can assist you with. These functions include providing psychosocial support, counselling, and information and assistance services on: • Pensions & Gratuities • Taxation • PRSI • Social Welfare Benefits • Housing • Education • Retirement • Marital, Family and Relationship problems • Problem Drinking • Stress • Interpersonal Relationships • Substance abuse awareness • Financial problems Confidentiality: If you choose to use the PSS no one will know un- less you tell them. The staff of the PSS will not discuss your case or enquiry with anyone else without your prior consent. However, in today's society there is no absolute right to confidentiality but, within the PSS, occasions of breaching it are exceptional and circumstances to do so are clearly defined. The PSS is committed to its obligation to maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality whether information is obtained directly or indirectly, or by inference. The strictest levels of confidentiality are assured unless: • A life is endangered • A serious breach of criminal law is involved • Any case of physical or sexual abuse is involved • There is a threat to the security of the state, or the security and operational role of the Defence Forces When you visit the PSS with a problem, the confidentiality rules will be explained to you before you impar t personal or sensitive information. THE PSS CAN BE CONTACTED USING THE LINK ON IKON OR THE 24/7 CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLING SERVICE OPERATED BY INSPIRE CAN BE REACHED ON 1800 409 673

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