DND requests soldiers’ stories of mental health illnesses, treatment

Editor’s note: This story has been updated. Read it here.

TORONTO – The Department of National Defence (DND) said it is encouraging members of the Canadian Armed Forced (CAF) who have suffered a mental health issue and sought care to share their stories in a series of online videos.

“While there are many ways that we could approach this, we are very much hoping that we can find volunteers who have experienced a mental health issue, sought care, and are comfortable speaking publicly about their treatment and recover,” read a copy of a letter obtained by Global News that the DND said was sent to soldiers.

READ MORE: Campaign urges soldiers to connect to fight mental illness stigma, suicide

The DND said the video project is part of its way of continuing its “efforts to reduce stigma, encourage those suffering from mental illness to seek care, and to give hope to those with mental illness that care is available and recovery possible.”

SHARE YOUR STORY: Have you or a family member served in the Canadian Armed Forces and want to share your personal story with Global News? Please contact Global News reporter Irene Ogrodnik here.

In the past few months, there have been eight reported suicides by Canadian soldiers.  The spate of suicides in recent weeks highlights a mental health crisis in Canada’s military, say veteran advocates.

READ MORE: TIMELINE – Recent soldier suicides in Canada’s military

National Defence spokeswoman Marie-Hélène Brisson told Global News that CAF is “making great efforts to identify personnel with mental health problems and provide them with assistance in the form of treatment, counseling or other types of support.”

“Please think about this and let us know if you know of anyone that may be willing to participate in this project and help demystify some of the barriers of mental health.”

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READ MORE: Veterans call for long-term support as another soldier dies by apparent suicide

Executive Director at Wounded Warriors Canada Scott Maxwell said while the project is reactionary to what has happened the past few months, it’s a good thing to show the positive stories.

“Any way we can encourage people to come forward, self-identify and seek the help that they need is a good thing,” he said. “Given what has happened, we need a united front to show people that help is available and here are some examples of positive outcomes when help has been received.”

READ MORE: Wounded Warriors announces national ambassador to focus on mental health, PTSD

The copy of memo said that while much of the media and political attention is on PTSD and operationally related mental health issues, “we realize that the bulk of the mental health issues that we see in the CAF are not PTSD and are not always related to operations,” and said it is “not necessary for those who come forward to have PTSD of to have been deployed.”

Maxwell said a lot of criticism exists about what happens when you come forward and self-identify.

“It’s been deemed ‘career ending,’ with these kinds of things,” he said. “We have to make sure that those connections aren’t made and that if you come forward and self-identify and seek some assistance, that the next thing you know, you are not medically released in two years time.”

“We need to talk about the care that exists, how to access it and telling these folks they are not alone. There are a lot of positive stories that need to be told and shared.”

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