Challenges to national defence in contemporary geopolitical situation

Contemporary conflicts increasingly involve strategic competition conducted outside physical confrontation, where persistent contest within the information environment seeks to influence cognitive processes. This paper examines the role of psychological care, as a component of military medical support, in strengthening the resilience of professional soldiers. A qualitative approach combining doctrinal and policy analysis, comparative review, and conceptual synthesis were applied. The findings identify mental health as a foundational element of cognitive resilience and highlight a doctrinal shift toward preventive, resilience-oriented psychological care. The institutionalization of this approach within the Slovak Armed Forces demonstrates its relevance for sustaining operational readiness in cognitively contested environments.