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http://www.torontosun.com/2011/09/28/wounded-soldiers-to-get-the-help-they-need
OTTAWA - Six thousand Canadians served in Afghanistan and with most of them now back home, the military network needs to know how to care for their well being.
Top military brass and defence leaders met in Ottawa Wednesday to send a message through the ranks: Mental health is as crucial as physical wellness.
"I expect you to create a command climate where those who need help can get it," said Chief of Defence Staff Walt Natynczyk. "Ten years ago it was inconceivable to see young macho men and warrior women asking for help, to talk to a counsellor. Now they know they can do so right away."
All soldiers who served in Afghanistan are brought to Cyprus for three days to decompress before going home, connecting with dozens of health and transition services.
It wasn't always this way.
"A solider who was in an early morning fire fight in Bosnia, was flown home to Canada that afternoon, and was back in bed with his wife in Edmonton that same night," Natynczyk said. "At three in the morning, the phone rang and he tried to choke her to death, thinking he was still in the fight. That should never have been allowed to happen."
Making sure wounded warriors are within arm's reach of help is key.
"It's important to stay in touch with soldiers' families, because if they move to Upper Pumphandle, Sask., we may not know they need help," said Rear-Admiral Andy Smith. "That's why close contact with a network battle buddies and family is essential."
About half of all of those who fought the Taliban and drove roads riddled with crude explosives have returned to Canada with disabilities. Some are in wheelchairs, many are missing legs, while others are haunted by what they saw.
Later this fall, the military will announce a new program called Shoulder to Shoulder - a service to help families of fallen soldiers. Usually, contact is lost with the widows and widowers a few weeks after the funeral. The new system maintains social contact and counselling for as long as is needed.
OTTAWA - Six thousand Canadians served in Afghanistan and with most of them now back home, the military network needs to know how to care for their well being.
Top military brass and defence leaders met in Ottawa Wednesday to send a message through the ranks: Mental health is as crucial as physical wellness.
"I expect you to create a command climate where those who need help can get it," said Chief of Defence Staff Walt Natynczyk. "Ten years ago it was inconceivable to see young macho men and warrior women asking for help, to talk to a counsellor. Now they know they can do so right away."
All soldiers who served in Afghanistan are brought to Cyprus for three days to decompress before going home, connecting with dozens of health and transition services.
It wasn't always this way.
"A solider who was in an early morning fire fight in Bosnia, was flown home to Canada that afternoon, and was back in bed with his wife in Edmonton that same night," Natynczyk said. "At three in the morning, the phone rang and he tried to choke her to death, thinking he was still in the fight. That should never have been allowed to happen."
Making sure wounded warriors are within arm's reach of help is key.
"It's important to stay in touch with soldiers' families, because if they move to Upper Pumphandle, Sask., we may not know they need help," said Rear-Admiral Andy Smith. "That's why close contact with a network battle buddies and family is essential."
About half of all of those who fought the Taliban and drove roads riddled with crude explosives have returned to Canada with disabilities. Some are in wheelchairs, many are missing legs, while others are haunted by what they saw.
Later this fall, the military will announce a new program called Shoulder to Shoulder - a service to help families of fallen soldiers. Usually, contact is lost with the widows and widowers a few weeks after the funeral. The new system maintains social contact and counselling for as long as is needed.
