Suicide in the Canadian Forces

Suicide is a concern for all Canadians. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people, after motor vehicle accidents (http://www.cmha.ca, 2009).
The health needs, including mental health needs, of military personnel are a top priority for the Canadian Forces (CF) and the Government of Canada. The death of even one CF member by suicide is too many. The CF takes the issue of member suicide very seriously and ensures that all personnel undergo regular suicide awareness and intervention training programs. Extensive efforts are expended to identify people at risk for mental health problems and to provide them with the assistance that they require.
Suicide rates among CF personnel have been generally decreasing. The rate of suicide among male CF personnel during the period 2005-2008 was lower than the rate during the period 2000-2004, which was lower than the rate during the period 1995-1999.
Suicide rates
In tabulating suicide rates, the CF does not include the deaths of civilians on Department of National Defence (DND) property or the deaths of DND employees, off-duty Reserve Forces personnel or Canadian Rangers.
It should be noted that the records of the Military Police (MP), on which all CF suicide figures are based, are subject to misinterpretation due to the fact that MPs log all investigations of “sudden deaths” together, whether these later turn out to be suicides, accidental deaths or deaths from natural causes.
The figures in Table A originate with the CF Director Force Health Protection (DFHP). These figures are limited to suicides among Regular Forces personnel. CF rates of suicide appearing in Table A are calculated, like those of Statistics Canada, as a rate per 100,000.
Table A
Suicide rates among Regular Forces personnel, 1995-2008
Year (1) (2) (3)
====================================
1995 62,597 12 19.17
1996 57,608 8 13.89
1997 55,041 13 23.62
1998 54,485 13 23.86
1999 53,134 10 18.82
1995-99 282,865 56 19.8
2000 51,864 12 23.14
2001 51,008 10 19.6
2002 52,326 9 17.2
2003 53,752 9 16.74
2004 53,522 10 18.68
2000-04 262,472 50 19.1
2005 53,321 10 18.75
2006 53,985 7 12.97
2007 54,673 9 16.46
2008 55,627 13 23.37
2005-08 217,606 39 17.9
(1) Number of male CF personnel
(2) Number of suicides among male CF personnel
(3) CF male suicide rate per 100,000
As Table A illustrates, from 1995 to 1999, the rate of suicide among male Regular Force personnel approximated 19.8 per 100,000, or one in 5,051. From 2000 to 2004, the rate of suicide among male Regular Force personnel approximated 19.1 per 100,000, or one in 5,236. From 2005 to 2008, the rate of suicide among male Regular Force personnel approximated 17.9 per 100,000, or one in 5,587.
The rate of suicide among female CF personnel is extremely low. It is more useful to report the following numbers: there were no suicides among female Regular Force personnel from 1995 to 2001, there was one in 2002, there were two in 2003, there were none in 2004 or 2005, there was one in 2006, one in 2007 and one in 2008.
The figures in Table B originate with the CF Director Casualty Support Administration, which coordinates benefits. These figures include some Reserve Forces personnel.
Table B
Suicide rates among Canadian Forces personnel, 2002-2008
Year
Number of suicides among CF personnel
2002
12
2003
11
2004
13
2005
11
2006
11
2007
12
2008
15
The CF does not have complete records on Reserve Forces suicides. There is considerable turnover in the Reserve Forces, especially among part-time Reservists. Suicides among part-time Reservists may not be captured unless they are brought to the attention of the military by civilian authorities. Plans are underway to link the names of all CF members from 1972 to the present to Statistics Canada’s mortality database to correct this situation.
The differences between figures in these tables relating to any given year reflect the complexities involved in tracking suicides among members of any population. CF leadership is continually engaged in discussions on the subject of improving record keeping.
Intervention
CF suicide intervention training ranges from a two-day, skill-based workshop called “ASIST” (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills) to shorter awareness sessions based on identifying signs, symptoms and resources. This training takes place under the CF’s larger scheme of promoting healthy living and preventing injury and illness through the development of self-help programs. Similar workshops educate CF personnel on anger management, addiction awareness and prevention, stress management, and family violence prevention.
No consistent relationship has been discovered between deployment and increased risk of suicide. Nevertheless, there is a pre-deployment mental health screening process in place for CF personnel, and troops are prepared in various ways to deal with possible trauma overseas. For those personnel deploying on stressful operations and missions, good mission preparation and training is critical. This includes education on stress-coping skills, unit cohesion and social support, and awareness of the potential effects of stress. Training is realistic and is designed to bolster confidence in both individual and team capabilities.
All CF personnel returning from an international operation of 60 or more days’ duration undergo an Enhanced Post-deployment Screening Process. This takes place between 90 and 180 days after their return to Canada, although nothing prevents an individual who has any concerns from coming forward to seek help at an earlier time. The Post-deployment Screening is meant to better identify those with deployment-related problems, with a particular focus on psychological problems. The CF member completes a detailed health questionnaire and has an in-depth interview with a mental health professional. The interviewer completes a form recording a clinical impression and a recommendation for follow-up care.
The CF also conducts periodic health assessments on its members on a regular basis, where mental health problems can be diagnosed and treated.


