Mental health a big priority

Re: “Experts doubt DND mental-illness figure; Vets’ problems far worse than study estimates, specialists say,” the Journal, July 3. There has been much discussion about a recently published Canadian Armed Forces study on deploymentrelated mental disorders among personnel who served in Afghanistan in 2001-08.

This scientifically rigorous study is the most comprehensive and accurate to date. As in civilian society, however, we know not all our colleagues suffering mental disorders have sought care.

This is why the Defence Department invests so heavily in health surveillance and in measures to reduce stigma. The Canadian Forces Health Services are also conducting several complementary studies to better understand the mental-health impact of military operations. These include a large survey with Statistics Canada to assess illness among those who have not yet sought care.

One of the Forces’ many leading-edge initiatives, launched in 2009, is the Road to Mental Readiness education, awareness and skills training program. It was designed with the collaboration of serving operational personnel, veterans and family members to increase mental resilience, enhance the ability of Forces’ members and their families to recognize distress in themselves and others, and assist them in accessing care.

These investments reflect the high priority placed on mental health by the government and military leaders. Last year, Defence Minister Peter MacKay increased the Forces’ mental-health budget by $11.4 million, bringing it to $50 million a year.

These resources permit us to further enhance our comprehensive mental-health system, already considered a model by Canadian and allied health authorities. Brig.- Gen. Jean- Robert Bernier, MD, surgeon general, Ottawa