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DAOD 5017-0, Mental Health and Wellness

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Definitions
  3. Policy Direction
  4. Consequences
  5. Authorities
  6. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2000-04-24

Date of Last Modification: 2025-03-17

Date of Last Review: 2025-03-17

Application: This DAOD is an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members) and a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) who act as managers or supervisors of CAF members.

Approval Authority: Chief Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC)

2. Definitions

mental health (santé mentale)

A state of mental well-being that reflects an individual’s ability to cope with stress, to realize their potential, to learn, to work and to contribute to their community.

Note – Good mental health is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development and is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins one’s individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the environment in which one lives. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 43641)

mental illness (maladie mentale)

A mental health condition characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.

Note – Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity from mild to severe and in duration from acute to chronic. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 695571)

resilience (résilience)

In psychology, the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences.

Note – Examples of techniques demonstrating resilience include mental, emotional and behavioral flexibility, as well as adjustment to external and internal demands. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 697004)

3. Policy Direction

Context

3.1 The World Health Organization describes health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” The concept of mental health has further evolved to a state of well-being in which one can realise their full potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their communities. Recognizing the interrelationship of health as the goal and wellness as the active process of achieving and maintaining it, Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada’s Defence Policy commits to ensuring CAF members are well supported and resilient physically, psychologically and spiritually. Supporting the health and well-being of CAF members extends beyond prevention and management of illness and injury to also:

  1. enable the highest possible level of well-being and function; and,
  2. cultivate respectful environments.

3.2 Mental health as a state of well-being and wellness is influenced by many interconnected social, environmental, and institutional determinants. Therefore, no single program or organization can address total wellness, nor eliminate all related challenges, rather, ongoing coordinated action is required on a wide range of fronts.

3.3 Mental health as a state of well-being and wellness is not fixed; it is dynamic and modifiable. Many aspects of military life can have an important impact on the mental health of CAF members. This includes leadership, administration, living and working conditions, social and recreational facilities, health services, spiritual support, morale and welfare programs, and the access and clarity of military personnel policies. At times, the demands imposed by the environment and operations of the CAF create unique challenges. A supportive, inclusive environment is the foundation upon which CAF member wellness and resilience can be:

  1. enhanced by effective programs and interventions aimed at fostering total health (including mental health) and wellness; and
  2. complemented by enabled CAF members that take personal responsibility for:
    1. their mental health; and
    2. obtaining support, education and complete health care as needeed.

3.4 Maintenance of good mental health and wellness is a key factor:

  1. in both the well-being and quality of life of each CAF member and their family;
  2. for the operational readiness of the CAF; and ;
  3. to position CAF members and leaders for success throughout their careers.

Surgeon general

3.5 Mental illness can seriously impair, temporarily or permanently, the functioning of a person. Treating those with mental illness is a distinct clinical responsibility that falls under the Surgeon General and it is a crucial component of the continuum of total health and wellness. As the adviser to the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff on all matters pertaining to the health of CAF members, the Surgeon General has control over all professional-technical matters and clinical standards pertaining to the provision of mental health and psychosocial services, and:

  1. establishes policies and set standards for the mental health and psychosocial treatment of CAF members;
  2. oversees the provision of mental health and psychosocial education and training programs within the CAF and will ensure that quality assurance in these areas are conducted;
  3. may also cause research activities to be conducted in these areas; and
  4. directs all CAF health care providers and other personnel in the course of providing mental health and psychosocial services to CAF members.

Royal Canadian Chaplain Service and Chaplain General

3.6 CAF chaplains provide:

  1. care for all, without exception, notwithstanding the spiritual or faith tradition identification, religious or faith adherence, race, cultural identity, abilities, gender identity, expression or both, or sexual orientation of the person;
  2. the spiritual needs of people by providing an active, personal, and supportive presence;
  3. spiritual counselling, encouraging individuals in understanding themselves, and interpreting spiritual, theological, or moral issues and ethical questions; and
  4. educating CAF members in such areas as ethics, anger management, suicide prevention, etc., by:
    1. facilitating the fulfillment of spiritual or religious needs of CAF members and their families; and
    2. visiting and caring for the sick, troubled, and challenged.

Policy Statement

3.7 The CAF is committed to:

  1. promoting and safeguarding mental health and wellness, together with raising awareness of education and support services;
  2. fostering safe equitable, inclusive, respectful and professional work environments that support CAF members;
  3. optimizing prevention of mental illness and injury, as well as ongoing provision of appropriate accessible care and supports for CAF members who experience mental health problems;
  4. providing well-being-related support to CAF families when appropriate;
  5. building capacity across the many domains of mental health, wellness, and resilience by providing education, tools, and resources for CAF members and leaders; and
  6. upholding the leadership role in ensuring a healthy work-life balance as outlined in Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence.

Requirements

3.8 The CAF must:

  1. include mental health and wellness within the overall governance and policy framework for health and wellness;
  2. advance and coordinate strategies for wellness promotion as well as illness and injury prevention;
  3. ensure comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health and wellness, and social support services;
  4. maintain up-to-date mental health education, prevention programs and health care services which include stigma reduction, mental illness and addiction awareness, and suicide prevention;
  5. strengthen information systems, evidence and research relating to mental health and wellness; and
  6. enable all CAF supervisors and supervisors of CAF members in:
    1. creating and supporting a climate that fosters positive physical and mental health; and
    2. ensuring that CAF members have the support required to maintain an active role in their own well-being.

4. Consequences

General

4.1 Should clarification of the policy statement, requirements or authorities set out in this DAOD be required, CAF members and DND employees who supervise CAF members may seek direction through their chain of command or channel of communication, as appropriate. The anticipated results set out in the policy statement may not be achieved by the DND and the CAF if the requirements specified in this DAOD are not properly implemented. Not achieving the anticipated results could affect the ability of the DND and the CAF to ensure that the CAF is prepared to undertake missions for the protection of Canada and Canadians and the maintenance of international peace and stability.

5. Authorities

Authority Table

5.1 The following table identifies the authorities associated with this DAOD:

The ... has or have the authority to ...
CMP
  • establish the framework for total health and wellness;
  • issue policies and directives related to wellness.
commanding officers and supervisors
  • oversee the provision of ongoing education, promotion and support of recognized CAF well-being and mental health-related programs;
  • lead to promote a culture of understanding about mental health within their respective environments; and
  • refer a CAF member to a medical care provider for assessment when concerns regarding the well-being of a CAF member arise based on existing concerns.

6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

Other References

 

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