Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment the Army has made of the risk of adolescent recruits enlisting with a history of depression or anxiety later being discharged for reasons of mental health.

The Armed Forces have entry Medical Employment Standards against which potential adolescent recruits are assessed. These permit entry of individuals with a history of depression or anxiety if they meet specific, medically approved criteria. These individuals are not medically downgraded; they are considered medically fit for enlistment.

The Army delivers training and education to instructors on how to prepare recruits for coping with stressful situations and to understand not only the technical and physical needs of recruits, but also their psychological and social needs. There are enhanced welfare support facilities in all Basic Training locations, with both Army and external agencies able to offer advice and support outside the Chain of Command. Risks are proactively sought out and actively managed in accordance with Army policies and civilian best practices.