Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my constituency assistant has many wonderful talents, and I am thankful every day for his support. Today I would like to read a slightly edited opinion piece that he wrote for Lucky Mall in 2020.
I never knew my maternal grandfather. A veteran of the second world war, he did not give up his life open the field of honour but he never really came back either. Like many other Canadians who returned from the front as heros, he kept an indelible memory of the horror that he encountered. At a time when post-traumatic stress disorder did not exist, he served his country as a military nurse before being enturned for a few years upon his return to Canada. He died in a psychiatric hospital. War kills, but even when you escape it, it still leaves a lasting mark on your mind. Both among the military and the civilian population, those who have experienced this terrible human tragedy are sometimes lastingly affected by it. You never really come out of war completely unscathed.
Mental health issues are a reality for many veterans who have participated in the missions of Bosnia, Afghanistan, Syria, and beyond. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs in 2019, there were nearly 25,000 veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and more than 33,000 struggling with mental health issues. And that's just those who had the courage to ask for help.
Trauma is a vector for other public health issues, including drug and alcohol abuse. When we fight the opoid crisis, we are also fighting for the well-being of our veterans.
Furthermore, as our country continues to welcome refugees from armed conflict zones, it's important to remember that some of them will also need psychological support. We must show compassion to all those who have experienced such trauma and do everything possible to ensure that care is available.
On Remembrance Day, let us remember all those who died defending our freedom but also those who are alive and continue to relive the horror. We do not forget, and our hearts are with you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Members' statements. Member from the Sahtu.
