“Post-traumatic stress disorder is a significant issue in the Canadian military. According to a report from the Library of Parliament, one in 10 veterans released between 1998 and 2007 were diagnosed with PTSD. The figure rose to 24 per cent when other mental health illnesses were considered, including depression and bipolar disorder.
Treatment is offered to current and former soldiers, but the military’s mental health services are strained. When symptoms become chronic, soldiers and veterans often have trouble working and face higher risks of alcohol abuse, drug addiction, run-ins with the law and suicide.
Some recover, others are released from the military because they are no longer well enough to serve. Before legislative changes in 2006, these veterans received lifetime payments for their injuries – now they’re offered lump-sum awards.
The disorder is a disfigurement of sorts, but unlike clearly physical injuries such as tissue damage or lost limbs, doctors haven’t had the equipment to scan for PTSD.
Until now.”
Read more on this Globe and Mail article here.
Myles Haverluck 