Approximately one in six full-time, regular members of the Canadian Forces surveyed last year reported experiencing symptoms of a mental disorder or alcohol abuse within the previous 12 months, according to new data from Statistics Canada.
As part of the Canadian Forces Mental Health survey, some 6,700 full-time soldiers and 1,500 reservists were interviewed between April and August, 2013.
The survey looked at six disorders: major depressive episode, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence.
Major depressive episodes – defined as depression lasting two weeks or longer -- were most commonly reported, with eight per cent of full-time soldiers meeting the criteria, StatsCan said.
By comparison, 4.7 per cent of Canadians surveyed in 2012 said they had struggled with a major depressive episode in the previous 12 months.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder were reported by 5.3 per cent of full-time soldiers, according to the 2013 survey. Another 4.7 per cent reported having anxiety and 3.4 per cent said they experienced symptoms of panic disorder.
Symptoms of alcohol abuse were reported by 4.5 per cent of full-time soldiers during a 12-month period. That’s consistent with the general population, according to the 2012 survey.
But the numbers reported in the survey are likely underestimating the problem because it didn't include thousands of veterans and reservists.
Cpl. David Macdonald suffered in silence for two years after returning from Afghanistan.
He told CTV News that after returning, it got so bad he attempted to take his own life. It was then that he realized he had to speak up.
"I went through depression, divorce and a suicide attempt," Macdonald said. "It was the suicide attempt that finally made me realize that what I was going through was not normal."
Dr. Jacques Gouws, a military psychologist, said because the survey didn't include data from veterans and reservists, the numbers are likely only scratching the surface.
"I do believe that these numbers are of concern because they are an indication of probably what is still coming our way," he said.
A rash of military suicides in late 2013 and early 2014 highlighted Canadian soldiers’ struggles with PTSD and depression. The Canadian Forces and the federal government were criticized over their response to the suicide crisis, but the military has insisted that it’s doing everything it can to help troubled soldiers.
The Department of National Defence has increased the number of mental health care workers on military bases, hiring 50 people out of 54 job openings.
With a report from CTV’s Richard Madan in Ottawa
