With the bill on military service, the Minister of Defense, Mr. Dendias, in his words, aims to turn the service from a chore into a "tenure opportunity" following it Finnish model (although it probably skewed a bit towards her "term punishment" – of mentally ill and its inhabitants foreign).

Since the Minister referred to the Finnish model and there has been a lot of talk about mental issues, I looked up what is going on in the Finnish army regarding these.

You can read the full articles below – sources are Yle (Finland’s equivalent of ERT) [1] and the Finnish government page [2] (State Council):

• [1] https://yle.fi/a/74-20124997
• [2] https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/1948673/mental-health-issues-are-among-the-most-common-reasons-for-interrupting-military-service

Some excerpts with brief comments:

1) Mental illness is the main reason for discharges in the Finnish army:

In 2009, mental health and substance abuse were the reason for 39 percent of military service exemptions, while last year they accounted for around 56 percent of exemptions.cter pre-service health assessments implemented two decades ago to reduce service interruptions. Yle

2) In 2023 25% of young people were exempted from the military:

In 2023, nearly one in five men born in 2005 — around 5,600 young people — were exempted from military service. Yle

3) Comment from a military doctor on the infantry health approach and cases of false mental issues:

Dr. Kari-Pekka Helenius, a conscription doctor with nearly 30 years of experience […] explained: "The stricter pre-assessment process has led to longer discussions with young people about why military service may not be the best option for them," Helenius said that he encounters many young men eager to serve but unable to do so due to health issues. […]. Conversations with these individuals can be long and emotionally charged, as they reconcile their willingness to serve with the realities of their health limitations. > Some young men seek excuses to avoid conscription, citing issues like mental health struggles or physical limitations such as back pain. In ambiguous cases, decisions about service eligibility are postponed for further evaluation. Helenius stressed that fabricated excuses are not a widespread issue, as such claims often reveal deeper, genuine challenges. Yle

4) Comment of the Ministry of Defense of Finland on these issues:

The fact that young people have more mental health issues than before is apparent also in the military service. Adjustment to a new daily routine and group work may also be challenging. We are constantly working on new ways to support and improve our conscripts’ well-being. However, the interruptions reflect societal phenomena that extend beyond the Defence Forces. Πηγή: State Council

5) Process of health postponements in the Finnish model:

The Finnish model has the following classes:

• Class E: Temporary postponement for reasons of health and adaptation
• Class C: Exemption (after max 3 years of deferrals)

Quote from https://intti.fi/en/-/1948673/varusmiespalveluksen-keskeytykset-edellisvuosien-tasoa

The greatest single reason for the discontinuation of service during the basic training phase is still mental health issues, such as problems with adjusting, anxiety, depression or intoxicants. The largest proportion of discontinuations take place during the first two weeks of the basic training phase.

Usually, a physician has proposed that the service class of the conscript whose service is being discontinued due to health reasons should be changed to class C or E. Class C means that the conscript is exempted from service during peacetime and class E means a temporary exemption from service for a maximum of three years.

6) BONUS: Support allowances to the Finnish infantry

In Finland an infantryman receives support from the state for his service with various allowances for his running costs:

Quote from https://intti.fi/en/preparing-for-the-service:

The social security institution Kela pays conscript allowance for the person liable for military service undertaking conscript service and their immediate family for the duration of the service. You may apply for this allowance a month prior to starting your service. The conscript allowance includes
– Basic allowance
– Housing assistance
– Alimony provision assistance
– Special assistance
– Assistance covering the interests of student loans.

The Greek reality

And we come to Greece, where in a holistic approach to mental health the minister states:

From the most ancient times the Army of the Athenian Republic and of Sparta and of the Greek cities was the army of the citizens. And even an army in which each one covered his neighbor with his shield. A common fate in peace as well as in war. At the moment it seems that some of our countrymen do not embrace this. This is how a cute “factory” has been set up where 35,500 have not enlisted in the last three years citing “psychological problems”.

For the Greek ministry, it is enough to talk only about I5 mental factories, without any documentation at all about the real increase in mental illnesses among young people. Without any understanding of how the military environment can worsen the fragile mental health of some individuals. And let it be often reported by agencies that there is an increase in mental illness and the consumption of antidepressants in the country. In this part we are not exemplified by Finland.

For the Greek ministry, it is enough to bring into law a bill that afflicts the mentally ill for 5 years, with a series of rigid and burdensome procedures, that treats them with suspicion at every step, and even requires disability certification for discharge. But not a single similarity with the -point of reference- model of Finland?

Finally, no criticism of the difficult economic and social conditions in which young people are called to serve and the lack of a support framework from the state. Which in the final analysis may lead a portion of young people – in a realistic attempt to survive – to the road of I5. At the moment everyone knows the big cost that has to be covered from the pocket of a soldier. No economic support for the soldiers, the Finland model does not suit us here either.

Finally; Term chore? Without Finland? Once again all about communication?