We've been hearing a lot about the stairway of shame from people from the outside, interestingly enough. I have been practising within the armed forces since 1993, and I can affirm that requests to receive assistance coming from soldiers is increasing. The stigma of asking for help is beginning to disappear. Ancient prejudices attached to old attitudes are on the way out with the departure of those retiring, and the upcoming generation is quite different.
The fact that we have mental health programs which allow us to talk to our troops with an eye to prevention, has created links which have slightly facilitated access to our services. On this issue, I wish to say that we want to put greater emphasis on prevention through programs like these, but that the Canadian Forces is lacking the resources and funds to do so. This does not only apply to mental health, but to other general areas. We do our best with the resources we have. This is what has facilitated ties to our troops, and I think we are going to hear less and less about the stairway of shame.