Develop a suicide prevention strategy for Canadian Armed Forces personnel and Veterans.

What success looks like

More Veterans and men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces receive the mental health care they need and suicides are reduced.

Government's narrative on progress

Canada’s new defence policy—Strong, Secure, Engaged—invests in the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and delivers the standard of service and care that current and former members deserve. The policy increases the number of Canada’s military personnel and significantly invests in the health and welfare of those serving in uniform. Under the policy, the government is expanding the Department of National Defence Medical Service Branch by 200 personnel to ensure serving members have better access to effective care anywhere they serve in Canada or abroad. In October 2017, the government announced the implementation of a joint Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Strategy. It’s composed of 160 different initiatives, programs and services including the hiring of additional mental health professionals focused on preventing suicide across the entire military and Veterans community. The effectiveness of clinical interventions, training, education and other supports and services will be studied to assess progress in preventing suicide.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.