Manager of Health Promotions, Ginger Lamoureux shows the health promotion information on Sept. 5, available at the CANEX food court. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

September 10 marks the 5th annual Suicide Prevention Walk at CFB Shilo, supporting the ‘Light the Way Through Darkness’ campaign.

“Light the Way will start at 8:30 a.m. in the MFRC’s Southeast parking lot. Join us for a brief walk, light snacks, and refreshments while we honour those who have been affected by suicide,” Health Promotion Manager Ginger Lamoureux said.

Everyone is encouraged to walk together in the morning, then later in the day turn on their front door light or porch light at 8 p.m. to show solidarity and that there is always a light on for those in need of support.

The 2025 walk comes on the heels of the Surgeon General’s report issued in February, highlighting the 17 deaths by suicide of Canadian Armed Forces members in 2023.

“Each death from suicide is tragic. Suicide prevention is an important public health concern and is a top priority for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF),” the report states.

The 2024 Report on Suicide Mortality in the Canadian Armed Forces by David Boulos, Directorate of Mental Health, compiles statistical numbers from 1995 to 2023 among Regular Force members.

“To better understand suicide in the CAF and refine ongoing suicide prevention efforts, the Canadian Forces Health Services annually examines suicide rates and the relationship between suicide, deployment and other potential suicide risk factors.”

Of the 17 suicide deaths in 2023, 15 were Regular Force males and two were Regular Force females. Additionally, there were four deaths among reservists.

“Every death by suicide is one too many,” Lamoureux said. “The important part we need to take note of is the type of work that was done after each of those occurred – how did we support the members who are left behind, the families, the units, the colleagues. Take a look reflectively. We need to ask ourselves what we can do differently. It’s important to recognize that in some cases, there is nothing we could have done differently.”

Boulos states the data indicate that suicide rates were a generally consistent pattern for thirteen years prior to the report (2010 – 2023), showing suicide rates higher in younger male personnel under 45 years old, in the junior non-commissioned members and in the Army combat arms occupations. The 2023 numbers detail that five deaths were Army personnel, two were Air Force, two were Navy and eight were ‘other’, totalling 21 deaths by suicide of service members.

“Our courses on mental health fitness and suicide awareness and stress take charge, managing angry moments, specifically talk about the likelihood of males aged 18 to 25 being more impulsive and reckless,” she said.

“So, it makes sense and aligns with the report indicating that the younger cohort of CAF members is likely to succumb to suicide,”.

Lamoureux says the courses offered by Shilo Health Services offer resources.

“We talk about steps you can take to manage your mental health, making sure you have a support network and utilizing it.”

“Sometimes the members have the support network but are stuck in a thought process where they feel they can’t reach out or don’t want to in fear of seeming weak or less than in some way.”

While the data indicates there is a higher suicide mortality rate in the CAF compared to Canadian civilians, it also shows that in 2023, there was a high prevalence of 65 per cent who had at least one mental disorder, and 94 per cent had at least one work-life stressor. The most prominent work or life stressors were physical health problems (65 per cent), a failing spousal/intimate relationship (59 per cent) and job, supervisor or work performance problems (59 per cent). The most common method of suicide in 2023 was hanging (59 per cent), followed by a non-military firearm (17 per cent).

“Given the nature of the work military members are engaged in, it would make sense that there is a possibility of higher numbers of death by suicide based on many factors that are unique to the Military. Some of these could be separation from family for long periods of time during deployments, the trauma that they may witness if they are deployed overseas and are engaged in any warfare. It would make sense. This is one of the few jobs where somebody is asked to put their life on the line or possibly take another’s life to do their job.”

For all these reasons, she said, the CAF makes an effort to offer support and educational courses, as well as peer support through the Sentinels program, with Padres embedded in each unit, allowing members to talk freely.

“We want to engage the members to ensure their mental health is stable.”

Fifty-nine per cent of the deaths in 2023 had prior suicidal ideations or attempts.

The manager of Shilo Health Promotion said it is quite common that those who have died by suicide may have displayed specific characteristics or had associated risk factors that would indicate that they may take their own life.

She said it is essential that colleagues, family members, and community members at large are aware of what the risk factors are, what signs and symptoms to look for.

“Really, more important than all of that is to make sure you know your people. Know your family members. Know your colleagues. Know your bosses even. Know your neighbours, so that you can identify when something isn’t right or something seems slightly off. Then, engage and take the time to say, ‘Hey, are you okay. Is there anything I can do?”