Picture of I've self harmed when I was younger and am wondering if that would cause me to be unable to join the army.

I've self harmed when I was younger and am wondering if that would cause me to be unable to join the army.

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Glen C. asked a question to Jen C.

Category: General

Date asked: Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Last reviewed: Monday, June 5, 2023

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Jen C.

Reservist Brigade SO2 SPS

Hi, if this is recorded on your medical records then the answer may be a straight, no. Unfortunately if you were harming when you were younger, the pressures of army life could cause you to harm again and the army has a duty of care to uphold. Putting someone with a history of self harming into the army could cause a trigger than you begin to self harm again.
If you have nothing on your medical records about self harming and have not self harmed in a number of years and genuinely believe you can take on the rigors of army training, the pressure of army life (potentially moving away from friends and family) then give it a go. There are a number of people who've self harmed when they were younger currently serving! Good luck.

Monday, June 5, 2023

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