Today, 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.
