The Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada announced their joint suicide-prevention strategy in October. It is “an approach we have not seen before,” said Minister of Veterans Affairs
Seamus O’Regan. The strategy is an effort to co-ordinate some 160 programs and services in both departments that are targeted at reducing suicide among serving members and veterans.
The realization is growing that the reason some military members and veterans do not benefit from post-traumatic stress disorder treatments is that their symptoms are not caused by, or not solely caused by, PTSD. There is an overlap of symptoms of PTSD, concussion and traumatic brain injury, mefloquine toxicity and major depressive disorder. Now research has added moral injury to the list.
A spirit of unconquered fortitude infused the Invictus Games, where the medal count was less important than the head count. And while competition among the Games’ wounded, sick and injured warriors was fierce and the fans—a disproportionate number of them families and friends—were fervent, camaraderie and universal support were the order of the day.
The Royal Canadian Legion has been advocating for and supporting veterans and their families since 1926. High on the list of challenges facing veterans are mental illness and addiction—which are closely linked. A prime example is the Legion’s Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Special Section launched in 2017. It is a member-driven, peer-support network that offers help to veterans living with OSIs. The network also helps organize mental-health first aid courses across the country.
Support is available for the half million or more veterans who are not currently VAC clients. All veterans, not just clients, can call VAC’s 24-hour helpline—800-268-7708 (or 800-567-5803 for the hearing impaired)—to be connected to a nearby mental-health professional. Any veteran can receive up to 20 free counselling sessions. And a $4-million Veterans Emergency Fund, announced in 2017 and to be implemented after April 1, 2018, will make short-term financial assistance available to veterans and their families quickly and efficiently in times of urgent or unexpected need, while other longer-term support arrangements are being made.
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Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 