SCDF disputes dad's claim son's depression caused by mistreatment in NS: 'I wrote to PM Wong, Shanmugam'
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is disputing a father's claim that his son's national service (NS) experience in SCDF contributed to the son's depression.
The father, Stomper Bahtiar, is seeking compensation from SCDF.
He said: "We sent our son to serve the nation strong and healthy, but sadly, he was discharged from SCDF due to major depressive disorder."
His son, N, who had enlisted for NS on May 17, 2022, was diagnosed on Sept 19, 2023, by an Ng Teng Fong General Hospital doctor, who strongly recommended N be discharged on medical grounds.
N was eventually exempted from NS with effect from Feb 13, 2024.
The Stomper appealed to SCDF for compensation for his son's depression.
On March 17, the father obtained a memo from the Ng Teng Fong doctor stating that based on the symptoms N reported, it was "likely that his experience of national service was a contributing factor to his mental health condition".
The Stomper then sought assistance from his MP at a Meet-The-People session on April 2.
He said: "On April 13, I wrote an email to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam regarding the delayed replies from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) about my son's case."
On April 16, the Stomper received a reply from MHA that the National Service Directorate Human Resource Division would provide an update.
The Stomper said: "On May 13, instead of getting a reply from MHA, I got a reply from SCDF that my appeal to Mr Wong would not be reviewed by SCDF."
SCDF said in its reply: "During our meeting on Feb 25 with you and in our email replies dated Jan 28, Feb 3 and 5, and March 12, we had explained that our investigation findings could not establish that N's major depressive disorder was caused by any of the instances you had highlighted.
"Our medical officer at the session on Feb 25, explained that major depressive disorder is a complex medical condition that can arise from multiple causal factors."
"Based on what you have provided to us thus far, we are not able to review your appeal for compensation as there is no new information to demonstrate that N's major depressive disorder was caused by specific instances as a result of performing his NS duties in SCDF."
The father told Stomp: "My family only wants justice.
"A gentle reminder to those SCDF officers who are responsible for my son getting diagnosed with major depressive disorder, my whole family will never ever forgive the whole lot of you for all your generations to come till eternity."
In response to a Stomp query, an SCDF spokesperson said SCDF is aware of the allegations made by the Stomper.
"Mr Bahtiar has claimed that Lance-Corporal N's NS experience in SCDF had contributed to his psychological disorder, and is seeking compensation from SCDF," said the spokesperson, who recounted the Stomper's son's time in NS.
Following the completion of his firefighting training on Oct 20, 2022, N was posted to the frontline as a firefighter on Oct 26, 2022.
After completing his first day of duty at the fire station, N sought counselling with SCDF's Emergency Behavioural Sciences and Care Unit, and requested to be posted out of the station, citing reasons such as mistreatment by supervisors and interpersonal relationship issues, said the spokesperson.
He was reassigned to an office-hour administrative role in the fire station after his first day of duty and was posted out of the fire station to a non-frontline unit on Dec 19, 2022.
The spokesperson added: "During his service with SCDF, N had taken 125 working days of sick leave and 180 working days of hospitalisation leave. He was present at work for only 130 days during his NS, including 96 days as a recruit/trainee firefighter.
"Since N's enlistment, SCDF has received feedback from Mr Bahtiar on multiple occasions, and conducted independent investigations on every claim raised by Mr Bahtiar.
"The investigation findings did not substantiate the claims of mistreatment, and we have communicated this to N's family. The investigation had also established that the cause of N's psychological condition is not attributable to SCDF.
"Therefore, SCDF is unable to provide any compensation to N. Nevertheless, SCDF covered all medical expenses that N incurred at government hospitals and polyclinics during his NS.
"SCDF takes all feedback seriously and will thoroughly investigate them. We remain committed to the safety and mental well-being of all our officers."
HELPLINES
Mental well-being
- Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
- Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
- Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
- Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
- Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
- Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
- Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)
Counselling
- Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
- Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
- Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
- Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366
- We Care Community Services: 3165-8017
Online resources
- mindline.sg
- eC2.sg
- www.tinklefriend.sg
- www.chat.mentalhealth.sg
- carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
- limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)
