Canadian Veterans and Mental Health

Understanding Mental Health

Based on the challenges, shapes of our thoughts and our growth process, our mental health is formed. Basically, mental health is what we prioritize and focus, in life through our relations with others and our ability to deal with problems and challenges. Based on our mental health’s state at the time, we function differently in life. For example, Veterans, experience low-self esteem along with anger and sadness most times because of what they have been through and many situations, taking a break or a small change can make a lot of difference in their mindset and help them go back on track in life.

Operational Stress Injury

Conditions such as anxiety disorder, PTSD and depression or any less severe mental disorder caused by the operation duties during the armed forces that impacted the veterans’ or the Mounted Police’s lives and how it functions daily is called Operational Stress Injury. These injuries are either diagnosed by a psychiatric or not but they still severely effect the individual’s lives.

Suicide prevention strategy

Canada is committed to provide necessary and needed support for all Canadians, Veteran or Non-Veteran, especially to prevent Suicide. In 2003, 77% of Canadian Veterans reported to be mentally healthy along with 72% of non-veterans. In 2010, 24% of veterans released between 1998 and 2007 reported to have been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression, which are the most common diagnosed mental illnesses, and 95% were diagnosed with chronic physical health condition.

 

Remember there is always help provided, either face to face or by phone and your doctors are always ready to help you.