The Defence Team Total Health
and Wellness Strategy,
it's the first of its kind
and represents a renewed way
that Defence Team members
are cared for.
But what exactly is it
and how does it help us?
First off, this isn't just
another strategy.
It's about us, and for us.
Our Military Members;
Military Families;
and Civilians
who support Defence.
It's an investment in Defence's
most important resource:
its people.
We're invested in creating a
better workplace for all of us.
A workplace that supports
a healthy lifestyle
by helping us find a balance
between our work lives, personal
lives, and individual health.
So, what does
this really mean for us?
The goal of the strategy is
to improve OUR work environment.
We all have the right to be
treated with respect, dignity,
and fairness in the workplace.
That's why we are adding
additional personnel
to strengthen our efforts
to eliminate harmful and
inappropriate sexual behaviour.
We have also introduced
the Workplace Harassment
and Violence Prevention
Centre of Expertise.
This initiative will increase
the support services offered
to Defence Team members,
and also support
research and training.
The strategy
will also support families.
Military families are the
"strength behind the uniform".
That's why we are expanding
Military Family Resource Centres
to reduce wait times
for mental health services,
provide family access
to tele-medicine,
and improve access
to counselling services.
Our personal health and fitness
is not only critical
in meeting
operational requirements,
but it's also key to ensuring
lifelong wellness.
The strategy aims
to help us build resilience
and maintain
our fitness and health.
That's why we are improving
the accessibility
and effectiveness
of our health care services.
We're investing in additional
occupational therapists,
nurse case managers,
and 8 new Office of Disability
Management locations.
Finally, the strategy
will remove barriers to care,
giving us the freedom
to raise health
and wellbeing concerns
in a stigma-free environment.
That's why we are investing in
increased outreach and training
in areas of mental health,
continuous wellness assessments,
and improving programs
and initiatives.
These are just the first steps
in making long-term improvements
in our health and wellness.
While leadership has
a particular responsibility
for improving the workplace,
only by working together
can we create the healthy
conditions necessary
to achieve our individual
and collective potential
in support
of the Defence of Canada.
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