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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex, life-altering mental health condition that can cause significant occupational dysfunction and decrease quality of life (Lopez, 2011). Individuals with PTSD have been exposed to one or more traumatic events and experience symptoms relating to cognition, mood, behaviour, arousal, reactivity and re-experiencing of the event, often causing significant distress and functional impairment (American Psychological Association, 2013). PTSD can be a chronic condition, and can affect all aspects of the lives of those diagnosed with it, as well as their families and communities (Lopez, 2011; Dekel & Monson, 2010).
In military populations, PTSD may arise following traumatic events such as combat, imprisonment and loss of comrades (Richardson, Elhai, & Sareen, 2011). The conflict in Afghanistan resulted in an estimated one in five service members who returned from combat being diagnosed with PTSD (Dekel & Monson, 2010) and an increase in PTSD-related suicide (Paré, 2013). Additionally, the combined prevalence of PTSD and depression among current Canadian Forces (CF) service members is estimated to be 15%, with a lifetime prevalence estimated to be greater than 30%. The prevalence of chronic PTSD is even greater among veterans than among service members (Paré, 2013). These estimations may be lower than the actual occurrence, as a result of under-reporting due to stigma and negative CF implications, such as losing one's post (Paré, 2013; Government of Canada, 2015).
Despite the significant number of military personnel and veterans being impacted by PTSD, mental health support options, whether provided by non-military resources (civilian clinics) or military resources (CF or Veterans Affairs Canada [VAC] services), are not ideal. Civilian mental health programs can be costly, and may not be appropriate given the unique backgrounds, schedules and concerns of those with military-related PTSD (Elliot, 2010). Yet, navigating internal military mental health resources can also be challenging. Service members may face a number of barriers within the CF and VAC, including lengthy paperwork, unclear treatment qualifications and requirements, work constraints, difficulty accessing disability pensions and mental health services, and return to combat (Cudmore, 2013; Stewart, 2014). Additional barriers to service access can include stigmatizing societal attitudes and beliefs, as well as limitations related to PTSD symptoms (Paré, 2013).
With a substantial number of service members and veterans affected by PTSD,...