Conservatives failing to protect soldiers’ mental health

The NDP has asked for an emergency debate to address the chronic shortage of mental health staff in the Canadian Forces.

“Recent figures show that the Conservatives have not only failed to deliver on their promises to increase the number of mental health professionals in the Canadian Forces, but since 2012 they’ve delayed hiring staff and continued cutting their budgets,” said NDP National Defence critic Jack Harris (St. John’s East).

Earlier this month, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair urged the prime minister to increase investment in mental health services for Canadian Forces members. The NDP also called for an acceleration of the investigation process for suicides within the military, some of which have been pending for five years.

Investment in skilled mental health professionals is increasingly important as thousands of soldiers struggle to cope following their return from Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan.