More support needed for Canadian Veterans

Many Canadian soldiers who have returned home from Afghanistan after suffering the horrors of war, are continuing to experience psychological effects and some are killing themselves.

According to a 2015 report by The Globe and Mail, 54 veterans have committed suicide since they returned home from Afghanistan, where 158 soldiers died in  combat missions.

In 2015, the ratio of veterans committing suicide is almost at one for every three soldiers who died in Afghanistan. Logic suggests we can expect the number of veteran deaths to grow substantially higher than the number of causalities seen overseas if this issue is not addressed.

“One of my friends lost his legs in an IED attack where his GWaggon was destroyed,” said Captain Brad Krewench. “He has to go every year and prove to Veterans Affairs that his legs didn’t grow back…How is this even happening?”

Capt. Krewench says he sees how difficult it is for our war vets back home and hopes the military will soon make life easier for soldiers.

“We are truly brothers and sisters of a huge family,” said Capt. Krewench. “We need to be there for one another and V.A. needs to facilitate more for the men and women that need help. We need more support and opportunities to vent to others who know the camaraderie of being a soldier. They need support.”

According to an updated report by The Globe and Mail in 2016, 14,372 veterans received disability benefits for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a mental disorder linked to most suicides in soldiers in 2016. Out of 39,000 Canadian Armed Forces members who served in Afghanistan, 3,578 of soldiers came back with P.T.S.D.

Corporal Scott Fleming says Veterans Affairs is full of red tape and hoops to jump through.

“I have lost two of my boys from my tour this summer due to suicide,” said Cpl Fleming. “V.A. needs to become more streamlined and accommodating. Considering we have lost more soldiers to suicide than actual combat death, there needs to be an increased awareness on the issue.”