An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 21 of remembrance. Their resource plays a significant role in contributing to the morale and wellbeing of service person- nel. Currently, DF chaplains are attached to each service, brigade and the DFTC. In addition, chaplains accompany each major overseas deployment of Irish personnel. Chaplains support all personnel, regardless of rank, reli- gion or faith (or of no faith), and minister to DF members and their families throughout the overseas deployment cycle. While serving as chaplains they wear the DF uniform, although they are non-combatants and do not hold a mili- tary rank nor serve in a command role. As such, they offer a uniquely accessible, private and supportive service, and it is common for personnel with emotional or behavioural con- cerns to first approach a chaplain, rather than immediately seeking assistance via the medical services. DF chaplains work in collaboration with command, PSS staff, and medical services to support the emotional wellbe- ing and military readiness of DF personnel, and they are trained to ensure that service members are linked with appropriate medical care when professional mental health intervention is required, while continuing to provide pasto- ral support. Collectively, the medical services, PSS, and the Chap- laincy Service play a crucial role in maintaining the overall psychological health of our military forces. One of the many challenges faced within the DF is reducing barriers to psychological health supports systems, and, specifically, clinical mental healthcare services. These challenges can be geographical, logistical, and cultural. However, DF psycho- logical health resources are now offered in most areas of the country, which makes it is less challenging for personnel to access such care. Training and education by the medical services, PSS, OSWs and the Chaplaincy Service, continues to address practical and stigma-related hurdles across the organisation, through CPD events, unit briefings, annual training camps, etc, during which personnel are advised to seek help before problems worsen, in order to avoid even greater impact on their health and functioning. In serving those who serve, the various psychological health resources within the DF reflect the many advances seen over the past century in successfully addressing the needs of military personnel. As outlined in the recent White Paper on Defence, there are many new challenges and op- portunities for the DF in the years to come. Psychological health plays a crucial role in assuring the ongoing wellbeing of service members and the operational readiness and ef- fectiveness of the DF, both at home and abroad. Please refer to the Defence Forces Information Handbook for contact information on medical services, the PSS, and Chaplaincy Services. 'Inspire' can be reached by telephone on 1800 409673. aBout the authors: Lt (Dr) Mathew McCauley is a consultant clinical psycholo- gist, with the RDF Medical Corps; Comdt Dorota O'Brien is a clinical psychologist with the Medical Corps; Lt Col Oliver Barbour is Director of PSS; Fr Séamus Madigan is Head Chaplain to the Forces; and Mr Colin Fallon is Principle Social Worker with the Defence Forces.

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