National Defence committee  It's not necessary. If a family member, if any physician for any reason...whether the report of a military police officer.... The family member sees enough to be convinced that there's a need, that there's a sufficient risk of self-harm or harm to others, that requires a psychiat

National Defence committee  It can happen just based on symptoms. It doesn't necessarily mean it has to be an acute crisis with a criminal offence taking place.

National Defence committee  The routine ones are at recruitment initially, with the routinely scheduled periodic health assessments that occur regularly, before every deployment overseas, after every deployment overseas with a very detailed evaluation, during subsequent periodic health assessments, and agai

National Defence committee  Since September 1?

National Defence committee  We keep the numbers by calendar year, so I'd have to look back. But since January 1, we've had three members of the reserve commit suicide. Those are still pending confirmation by coroner or police.

National Defence committee  I could, from September 1 until now.

National Defence committee  That's always a concern. In medical school, they teach you to avoid medication as much as possible and to find other ways to treat a patient. Everything we do is based on the best scientific data. We are always trying to determine the best ways to treat patients, based on new re

National Defence committee  Our awareness program includes families, people in leadership roles, as well as the soldiers' peer support system. We are trying to rely not only on health care services, but also the entire community around the individual to speak up if their behaviour changes or there is someth

National Defence committee  That depends on the individual's specific condition. In Canada, in most cases, people will be treated only with medications prescribed by their family doctor, but in some cases they will need more than that. Our group has an entire team. It is not only a doctor working independe

National Defence committee  It's not my area, but I know that releasing veterans are eligible to transfer to elements of DND that permit them to stay up to age 65 in the cadet instructor cadre and with the Canadian Rangers; there are limited positions there. There's legislation that was passed recently givi

National Defence committee  Thank you for your questions. However, I cannot answer them because those are two separate units. I am responsible for the health system and not the medical support system, which is Colonel Blais' responsibility.

National Defence committee  Yes. Case managers are part of this team. There is constant communication between the medical service and Colonel Blais' organization.

National Defence committee  I look after staffing for health services. That involves the clinical services required to provide health care, education, training for mental health awareness and so forth. Colonel Blais is responsible for his unit, which looks after all the other elements that provide support.

National Defence committee  In fact, last week we met with researchers from McGill University who are looking for serving and retired members of the military in order to conduct a study that will evaluate certain new technologies.

National Defence committee  The Canadian Armed Forces health services cannot provide the treatments directly. That is a problem. In our country, we have socialized medicine and health care is a provincial jurisdiction. With the exception of its 10 mental health clinics, Veterans Affairs does not provide hea