Former RCMP Officer Who Spoke Out About Force's Culture Takes Her Own Life

VANCOUVER — Former RCMP officers who suffered sexual harassment and bullying on the job are grieving the suicide of an ex-Mountie who advocated for change within the force they say ruined so many lives.

Catherine Galliford, who was one of the first Mounties to speak out about her experiences at the hands of fellow officers, said she was devastated to learn that Krista Carle, with whom she graduated from Depot division in Regina, had taken her own life.

Why a $7000 Benefit Is An Insult to Veterans' Families

This week, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) announced a proposed benefit of $7,238 for family members caring for severely ill or injured veterans. You'd think Jenifer Migneault, the wife of a man who suffers from PTSD, would be celebrating. But she's not.

The 42-year-old Quebecois woman is known in Parliament for chasing the former minister of Veterans Affairs, Julian Fantino, down a hallway to plead for help. Her husband, Claude Rainville, served for 20 years as a traffic technician in countries such as Rwanda, Syria and Haiti. "Mr. Fantino, as a spouse, can I talk to you please?" she yelled last May after a committee meeting, as the minister and his staff ignored her and kept walking.

Soldiers with PTSD might not get full pension, advocates warn

The mental-health struggles of Canadian soldiers have caught a lot of political attention of late, but veterans advocates remain concerned that PTSD could jeopardize a soldier's pension.

A Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member has to serve 10 years before being eligible for a full pension.

But by coming forward with physical or psychological injuries — such as post-traumatic stress disorder — in their first decade of service, many soldiers are at risk of being medically released and losing out on a full pension, says Michael Blais, president and founder of Canadian Veterans Advocacy.

DND breaks promise, dismisses PTSD soldier

OTTAWA - National Defence has done an about-face and revoked an offer that would have allowed a soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder, who spoke publicly last fall about his attempted suicide, the right to an extended release from the military.

Master Cpl. Kristian Wolowidnyk's story made headlines across the country in November when it was revealed he tried to take his own life after the army put him on the fast-track for dismissal.

The military backed down when his case became public, but just last week reversed itself and said he doesn't qualify.

Soldier With PTSD Says Veterans Cuts 'Destroying' Family

A Canadian soldier who suffered a traumatic brain injury while serving in Afghanistan is speaking out today, saying his case being bounced around within the Department of Veterans Affairs is “destroying” his family.

Cpl. Shane Jones was among four soldiers injured, with a fifth killed, in 2005 when the Light Armoured Vehicle they were travelling in rolled over after swerving to avoid a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. When the LAV flipped, it landed in a mine field, trapping him inside.

Vets outraged at Fantino shutting nine Veterans Affairs offices, challenge minister to follow a vet with PTSD

War veterans across the country are urging the government to reconsider its decision to shut down nine Veterans Affairs regional district offices that they rely heavily on to get frontline services and are reacting with anger to Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino for asking veterans to make use of mobile apps, such as “PTSD Coach Canada” and “OSI Connect,” to get “customized mental health support.”

“He can kiss my Highland ass,” said Ron Clarke, 73, a retired Army sergeant who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and says that veterans suffering from PTSD need one-on-one service from Veterans Affairs Canada staff workers, not mobile apps, online services, or toll-free phone help, in an interview with The Hill Times last week.

DND bills soldier with PTSD for 2 sick days

The Defence Department has sent a soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder a bill for $427.97 for two extra days of sick leave he took in 2006, along with a threat of taking him to court if he doesn't pay by Nov. 15.

The letter for retired master corporal Kevin Clark arrived Monday at his father's home near Oromocto, N.B. Clark had been there for two weeks taking care of his mother, who is in hospital.

PTSD on the rise: The hidden casualties of Canada's war in Afghanistan

Afghanistan veteran Yan Berube was handling a gun and planning to kill himself when he was arrested at this home in 2010. The incident was attributed to his diagnosed case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In 2008, Cpl. Stuart Langbridge, also a veteran of Afghanistan, hanged himself at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton. His family said he had PTSD. On September 10, Greg Matters was shot dead during a confrontation with RCMP officers. Matters had served with the Canadian Forces in Bosnia and had recently sought treatment for PTSD.