Canadian soldiers fight mental-health stigma

As defence officials investigate the fourth possible suicide of a Canadiansoldier in just over a week, some veteransare speaking out against the difficulties of getting treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Gerry Corbin, a veteran living with PTSD who served for 28 years in the Canadian military, says choosing to seek help can compromise a soldiers professional future.

Once you go through the process of admitting you have PTSD and you start getting these resources, you get tagged in the service, you get put in a medical category. That means no promotion, no posting, no nothing and once youre tagged, that will follow you for the rest of your career, Corbin told CBC Daybreak Montreals Mike Finnerty.

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Corbin is the former regional representative for Veterans UN-NATOCanada, an association that helps veterans find resources such asmental health services.

Corbin says news of the recent suicides shows the difficulty soldiers face when suffering from mental health issues such asPTSD.

Its terrible. Just thinking about it, Ive got a knot in my throat. Those people who committed the ultimate sacrifice, taking their own lives because of PTSD. Its a sickness you cant see, saidCorbin.

Its hard for me to take it, seeing these friends who commit suicide.

Captain Mathieu Dufour, a public relations officer at the Valcartier Garrison where Master Cpl. Sylvain Lelivre was found dead onMonday, said there are resources available on the base.

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There are plenty of services available. There's a wide spectrum of them. We're not alone here, people care about us and we take care of ourselves. The old mentality that people are strong and don't talk, that's over now, saidDufour.

Pierre Daigle, the National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, says money was given last year to hire more mental health professionals.

Daigle says qualified professionals are ready to work, but because of bureaucratic issues, their services haven't yet been put in place.

There are 76recruited, trainedprofessionals.But they are still notwithin the Canadian Forces structure, and what I'm afraid of is the people will get tired and there's a potential of losing them, saidDaigle.

Corbin says he is receiving treatment with a psychologist and psychiatrist at two veterans' hospitals, though he says it takes a lot of initiative to make sure he receives treatment.

Once you get into the system the treatments are there but you have to push to get those appointments, said Corbin.

The hardest thing is to admit that you have this problem and, once you admit that you have a problem, then its to take action to get help.