The RCMP, Canadian military soldiers, and PTSD today
Rahman Mohamed

Today, on November 11, we remember the veterans of the past.  But we can’t forget the veterans of today, the veterans who presently serve in the military and work tirelessly to keep us safe from danger – those who work for law enforcement.  In Canada the oldest of these is the RCMP.

Today many Canadian soldiers and law enforcement officers are treated aren’t looked at with the same respect as the past.  Why?  They suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Just recently it was reported by media outlets including the CBC adequate mental health support is not provided for officers by the RCMP; in turn officers are committing suicide.

Linda Perchaluk, the widow of Const. Adrien Gulay who committed suicide in August spoke to the CBC saying “I would phone and fax and email and they would just tell me they couldn’t do anything more”.

Earlier, the Huffington Post reported of Canadian veterans in similar conditions not being deployed and, in turn, losing service years, and losing pension and benefits.  Because of his military service, Cpl Hawkins experienced PTSD but declared “unfit to deploy”.  In turn he was discharged after 9 years of service; short of the 10-year requirement to qualify for a pension, though he plead to reach the 10-year mark.

But what is PTSD?

Next week: The Steps to See PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder