On May 11, 2022, the Department of National Defence (DND) released the 2021 Report on Suicide Mortality in the Canadian Armed Forces. The findings from this report help National Defence better understand suicide and suicide factors in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to further refine our ongoing suicide prevention efforts. Additionally, the report will help DND make evidence-based decisions regarding investments in the CAF health and support programs.
The annual report is just one part of the CAF’s broad suicide prevention efforts described in the CAF and Veterans Affairs Canada’s Joint Suicide Prevention Strategy.
DND understands that military members can encounter stressful and sometimes traumatic situations as a result of the work they do in service to Canada. As such, the CAF continuously strives towards reducing barriers to care, including reducing the stigma around mental illness, and working to enhance the healthcare programs and services for CAF members. This includes the Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program and the Road to Mental Readiness Program.
Quotes
“The health, safety, and well-being of all Canadian Armed Forces members is my top priority as Surgeon General. Normalizing conversations regarding mental health and suicide is integral to our understanding of the factors that lead to mental distress. Understanding these factors enables us to constantly improve the healthcare programs and services that we offer to our members. As clinicians, we know the benefits of reducing the stigma and encouraging an open dialogue when it comes to mental health, and investing in the education and awareness programs required to help our members. Please do not struggle in silence, we are here to help you.”
― Major-General Marc Bilodeau, Surgeon General of the Canadian Armed Forces
Quick Facts
- The Surgeon General Report on Suicide Mortality in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has been released annually since 2008, and provides information on deaths due to suicide in the actively serving CAF population.
- Every death due to suicide that is reported to Canadian Forces Health Services is investigated. That said, the statistical analysis in the 2021 Report on Suicide Mortality focuses on Regular Force males because the number of known deaths due to suicide in females and Reserve Force members is too small for accurate statistical analysis. Additionally, there is a lack of access to data for Reserve Force members as they receive much of their health care in the provincial / territorial systems and the associated information tends to be unavailable during the suicide review process.
- The 2021 Surgeon General’s annual Suicide Mortality Report is an update covering the period from 1995 to 2020.
- From 1995 to 2020, there was no statistically significant change in the overall suicide rate of CAF Regular Force males.
- The number of Regular Force males who died by suicide is consistent with the age-adjusted male suicide rates in the Canadian general population.
- The reasons for deaths due to suicide can be complex. There are typically multiple potential contributing factors for each death from suicide.
Associated Links
2021 Surgeon General Report on Suicide Mortality in the Canadian Armed Forces
Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP)
Joint Suicide Prevention Strategy
Mental Health resources for CAF members and families
Suicide and Suicide Prevention in the Canadian Armed Forces
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
