Development Psychological Support Services in the Defense System of Georgia: Suicide Prevention Program

The military conflicts that have developed in Georgia in recent decades, the 2008 Russo-Georgian war, and the extensive participation of GDF in international peacekeeping missions have led to a focus on the psychological well-being of military personnel and the development of support services. It is worth emphasizing that stressors related to military service, as well as additional risk factors (biological, physiological, psychological, social), may increase the risks of suicide. The Psychological Support Division, which is a structural unit of the Department of Social Issues and Psychological Support, carries out various activities in this regard in the defense system, including: psycho-education/awareness-raising, psychological selection/assessment, psychological examination, psychological rehabilitation (face-to-face and remote), and monitoring. In addition, the Division works on the development of existing services and increasing their accessibility. Remote psychological support has been developed, the selection/assessment process has been digitized, work is underway to develop/maintain psychological resilience and develop a suicide prevention program. Although the number of suicides within the Georgian Defense Forces is not particularly high, the specific nature of military service means that suicide or suicide-related behaviors may occur at any stage of a service member’s career. Consequently, it became necessary to develop a unified program that clearly defines the responsibilities of relevant structural units within the defense system, enhances coordination, and enables the organization of timely and effective intervention.