The Standing Committee on Veteran Affairs, which Peace River–Westlock MP Arnold Viersen sits on, recently extended its study on suicide prevention among veterans.
The study was initially planned to take place over six meetings, but will now take place over 10. The extension was made to accommodate over 60 witnesses who have applied to share their testimony.
“Effective suicide prevention is critical for our veterans who struggle with depression, PTSD, anxiety and other mental health challenges,” said Viersen. “That is why I and my colleagues fought to get the Committee study extended.”
Viersen added, the risk of suicide for veteran males is 1.4 times higher than the average Canadian male. With female veterans, it’s nearly twice the rate of civilian Canadian women.
The extension was approved in Parliament on Oct. 7, with support from the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois.
