Military

The tragic loss of life of Canadian veterans due to suicide requires ongoing focus to understand these unique, difficult events they face. Below are resources that outline why veterans are at risk for suicide, as well as provide resources and supports for any veterans or former veterans to access when they require assistance.

CAF-VAC Joint Suicide Prevention Strategy Highlights

This graphic outlines some of the efforts to prevent suicide among veterans in Canada coming from the annual Report on Suicide Mortality in the Canadian Armed Forces that is released each year. Visit this website for more information.

Report on Suicide Mortality In The Canadian Armed Forces (2021)

Each death from suicide is tragic. Suicide prevention is an important public health concern and
is a top priority for the Canadian Armed Forces. In order to better understand suicide in the CAF and
refine ongoing suicide prevention efforts, the Canadian Forces Health Services annually examine suicide rates and the relationship between suicide, deployment and other potential suicide risk factors. Check out this report for more information.

Strengthening Dual Service Couples

Dual service couples have the benefit of a shared experience which can serve as a basis of strength in their relationship. However, they can also face unique challenges when it comes to their careers and home lives. With the right support and communications tools, these relationships can thrive and excel at balancing career and family duties. Visit this link for more information.

Why Seeking Support is Helpful

Asking for help can be difficult. However, this resource breaks down why asking for hep is so important. Visit this link for more information.

Safe Messaging Best Practices For Communicating Veteran Suicide

Just as suicide has no single cause, no one strategy can end Veteran suicide. Research has shown that the way media covers suicide can influence behaviour — either positively, by encouraging help-seeking, or negatively, by increasing contagion or “copycat” suicide, which occurs when exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviours contributes to another suicide. This resource provides recommendations for developing messages about Veteran suicide. When best practices are applied, messages can correct misconceptions, convey hope, and encourage help-seeking among those at risk for suicide. Although this is an American based resources, it still provides useful information.

Military Suicide Prevention Toolkit

Like so many issues in suicide and suicide prevention, military suicide is multi-dimensional and complex and it cannot be easily explained. This toolkit provides statistics on veteran suicide, risk factors, protective factors, and more. Check out this resource for more information.

Supporting CAF Members and Families Facing an Absence

Do you have a friend who is CAF Member or is part of a military family and facing an absence? Are you looking for ways to support them? Absences, whether a deployment, Imposed Restriction, or prolonged training, can be stressful for the CAF Member and their wider family. Whether you are a friend, family member, co-worker or neighbor, check out the following tips based on experiences from the military community.

Halifax & Region Military Resource Centre

The H&R MFRC offers a range of services and programs to support families, including counselling services. Our Family Well-Being Counsellors are comprised of professionals with experience in counselling, family and peer support, and crisis intervention. Support can be accessed for a variety of reasons; including: work-related separations, parenting challenges, relationship issues, separation and divorce, grief and loss, and family violence. Counselling sessions are short term and requests for support are typically addressed within 1 business day and evening appointments outside of regular business hours can be accommodated upon request. Counsellors are able to provide referrals to other community agencies and supports, as well as education and prevention programming offered by the H&R MFRC. There are a range of short-term support resources available to military families during exceptional circumstances. Check out this website for more information.

Government of Canada Website – VAC Assistance Service

The VAC Assistance Service provides free, short-term psychological support with a mental health professional. When you contact the VAC Assistance Service, you will speak to a mental health professional. They will help identify your needs and make an appropriate referral to a local mental health professional. You can usually receive an appointment within five working days. Check out this website for more information. For immediate support, call 1-800-268-7708 to speak to a mental health professional right now.

Veterans Affairs Canada

If you are a current or former member of the CAF or RCMP, or a family member, the Government of Canada has targeted services and benefits to improve your well-being. Please check out this link for more information and access to resources.

Military Mental Health – Government of Canada

Mental health issues can come in many forms. Get the help and advice you need. The Canadian Armed Forces offers exceptional medical and mental health care, support for families, and return-to-work programs. Please visit this website for more information and access to resources.

Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance – Nova Scotia Health

Nova Scotia Health’s website outlines Veterans Affairs resources that provide targeted services and benefits to improve well-being including support and services related to physical and mental health and wellness. The services are for Veterans, former RCMP members, their families, and caregivers and is provided at no cost. This website also outlines what services you can access for the zone you live in here in Nova Scotia. Check out the website for more information.

Examining Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Substance Use Among A Sample Of Canadians Veterans

Comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use (SU) is a growing health concern among Canadian veterans. An exploratory patient oriented, longitudinal, time-series, mixed-methods research design was employed with a sample of five Canadian veterans. Veterans offered their accounts of what supported and helped manage their PTSD and related symptoms. Veterans also highlighted ways in which their SDs sometimes contributed to increases in their PTSD and related symptoms, as well as their SU. This study makes an important contribution to the emerging field examining the potential benefit of SDs for veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Additionally, this study is novel in its identification of the SDs beneficial contributions to veterans’ comorbid problematic use of substances.

Group Identity, Difficult Adjustment To Civilian Life, And Suicidal Ideation In Canadian Armed Forces Veterans

Suicidal thinking and suicides are more common in Canadian Armed Forces Veterans than the Canadian general population. This study found that difficult adjustment to civilian life and suicidal thinking were related to feelings of not belonging to a local community or people with similar beliefs. Difficult adjustment and suicidal thinking were more common in the first 3 years after release. Support for identity challenges could play a role in easing transition and preventing suicides.

Mental Disorder, Psychological Distress, and Functional Status in Canadian Military Personnel

This study examined the overlap between mood and anxiety disorders and psychological distress and their associations with functional status in Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel. It was found that Disability is most severe among CAF personnel with both distress and past-month mood and anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, distress in the absence of disorder is prevalent and is associated with meaningful levels of disability. Check out the report for the full results.

Mental Health of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans

The mental health of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) populations emerged as an important concern in the wake of difficult CAF deployments in the 1990s. This article is the first comprehensive summary of findings from subsequent surveys of mental health and well-being in CAF Veterans, undertaken to inform mental health service renewals by CAF Health Services and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). The survey findings support ongoing multifactorial approaches to optimizing mental health and well-being in CAF Veterans, including strong military-to-civilian transition support and access to effective mental and physical health services. Check out this report to see the full results.