Analyzing suicide in the Canadian Armed Forces
October 25, 2018 - Tim Bryant, Western Sentinel
Suicide was top of mind at the Oct. 12 Mental Health Day in Edmonton.
The annual event is designed to shed light on various aspects of mental health and the Canadian Armed Forces, and is led by 1 Field Ambulance.
Heading up the day was Major Heath Robson, clinic manager with 1 Fd Amb, who explained the day is much needed because there is relatively little attention paid to mental well-being compared to physical well-being.
“How often do we focus on physical health? Every day,” he said. “And how often do we focus on mental health? Well, we want it to be at least one day a year, if not more.”
In fact, he said once a week would be ideal.
Caption
A seminar of concerning mental health and suicide prevention being held in the Officer’s Mess at CFB Edmonton on Oct. 12, 2018.
All photos by MCpl Gerald Cormier, 3rd Canadian Division Public Affairs
“Whatever we can do to improve our mental fitness, as we do with our physical fitness, will go a long way to improving our overall wellness,” he added.
Making suicide the topic of discussion and examination this year came about in part because one word to describe suicide in the CAF is ‘endemic.’
“I don’t believe ‘endemic’ is too strong a word,” Maj Robson said.
He explained the rate of suicide within the CAF is similar to that of the general population, when the data is processed and looked at on a per-capita basis. This sounds like a good thing, in that it’s not higher.
“Our belief is, ‘No, having similar numbers to the civilian population is not a success at all,’” he said.
The reason for this is prospective CAF members are screened before they even join the Forces, to hopefully identify those who may have pre-existing conditions that can lead to mental health issues. In addition, once they join, they have strong support systems to rely on.
Meanwhile, the civilian population doesn’t always have those same opportunities and support networks.
To Maj Robson, it raises the question of why a ‘healthier population’ that is better resourced and supported and doesn’t have a higher risk of suicide has similar suicide rates as the civilian population that may not be as healthy or as well supported.
The day comes on the heels of a steady positive trend when it comes to dealing with suicide in the CAF, including the chain of command acknowledging its role in maintaining the health of its members.
In particular, Maj Robson said it’s becoming clearer that the environment and culture within units are “extreme indicators of health outcomes.”
If we accept and believe, which we do, that the environment affects our health in a very significant way, then we would be well served to find ways to improve the environment that we live within,” he said.
And it is leadership that affects that environment the most by creating the climate and culture in which CAF members live and operate.
“The aim of today was simply to have an open discussion about how units and chains of command can positively influence their environment while simultaneously offering them tools and resources and information for their own toolbox when they are made aware of one of their members who is suffering from suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideations,” Maj Robson said.
Of course, the day is only one step towards combatting and ultimately eliminating suicide within the CAF.
“The more we’re able to talk about it and the more we’re able to inculcate that belief in the leadership, the more positive change we’re expecting to realize,” Maj Robson said. “And there’s most importantly a cultural shift we’re hoping to see down the road, thereby improving the environment and reducing the prevalence of mental health issues or at least catching them earlier and being able to have our members recover.”