Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada conduct rigorous mental health screenings during the recruitment period of a Canadian Armed Forces member.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada, through Defence Research and Development Canada or other entities, expand its research into the pre-susceptibility of operational stress injuries.

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada enhance education provided to military families for mental health issues prior to deployment of a CAF member through the Road to Mental Readiness program.

Recommendation 4

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada enhance the preparation and training for potential operational stress injuries amongst CAF members before they deploy, and improve methods to train CAF members to self-assess for potential mental health issues.

Recommendation 5

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada, through Canadian Forces Health Services Group, continue to actively support clinical research being conducted into how to prevent death by exsanguination.

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada support research into increasing survivability from blast injuries such as improvised explosive devices and mortar shells.

Recommendation 7

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada, through Defence Research and Development Canada, or other bodies such as the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research, continue to actively support research being conducted at the research centre in Downsview where ultrasound devices are being adapted to work in the theatre of operation, and to be able to enhance the 3D ultrasound diagnostic tools that are available to medics on site.

Recommendation 8

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada actively train and promote CAF members to self-assess for mental health issues while being deployed.

Recommendation 9

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada conduct periodic, rigorous mental health screenings for operational stress injuries and common comorbid conditions, during the deployment period of a Canadian Armed Forces member.

Recommendation 10

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada encourage the Canadian Armed Forces to implement a policy that strongly discourages military superiors from asking subordinates details of a medical issue, unless the immediate health and safety of the member or his unit members are at risk.

Recommendation 11

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to recognize the importance of peer-to-peer support in recovering from operational stress injuries.

Recommendation 12

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada work to de-stigmatize mental health issues within the ranks and chain of command in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Recommendation 13

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to recognize the important work done by non-governmental organizations such as Wounded Warriors Canada, Soldier On, True Patriot Love and the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing in providing support for transitioning CAF members, and to foster relationships with new organizations.

Recommendation 14

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada actively promote CAF members to self-assess for mental health issues after returning from deployment and transitioning to civilian life.

Recommendation 15

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue research into traumatic brain injuries.

Recommendation 16

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada encourage the completion of all outstanding boards of inquiry into military suicides.

Recommendation 17

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada develop a comprehensive musculoskeletal strategy to better understand and address the causes of injury, encourage early treatment, and reduce the current barriers to soldiers and injured veterans getting the care they need.

Recommendation 18

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada improve coordination between the Canadian Armed Forces and provincial community health services to better meet the needs of military families.

Recommendation 19

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to support treatment outcome research for operational stress injuries.

Recommendation 20

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to review best practices and new technology from other countries.

Recommendation 21

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada encourage more research for traumatic physical injuries.

Recommendation 22

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Armed Forces, maintain its partnerships with civilian hospitals and civilian rehabilitation centres, as well as with academic institutions.

Recommendation 23

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to support embedding Canadian Forces clinicians within civilian hospitals.

Recommendation 24

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada emphasize the role of the leadership and chain of command in the CAF in de-stigmatizing operational stress injuries.

Recommendation 25

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to inform military members and veterans that PTSD can be treated successfully with evidence-based treatments, including pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy.

Recommendation 26

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada, through the Military Family Resource Centres, maintain support for the spouses of permanently ill or injured members through education and employment support.

Recommendation 27

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada consider examining the Universality of Service requirement.

Recommendation 28

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to recognize that transition to civilian life for a CAF member equally requires emotional support as well as vocational opportunities in the civilian life.

Recommendation 29

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada conduct rigorous mental health screenings during the transition period of a Canadian Armed Forces member, and encourage primary care physicians and specialists to do the same.

Recommendation 30

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada ensure that CAF members are better prepared for the eventual transition to civilian life during their time of service.

Recommendation 31

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada encourage the expansion and support for the Veterans Transition Network.

Recommendation 32

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada develop a comprehensive, algorithmic, military skills translation software tool to facilitate CF members to obtain civilian employment upon release.