9.0 Mental Health

9.0 Mental Health

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) provides a wide range of mental health services and support for Veterans and their families. The tables below outline the increasing number of Veterans in receipt of disability benefits for a mental health condition.

Table 9.1 Veterans with Psychiatric Disability in Receipt of Disability Benefits

Veterans Actuals as of March 31, 2022
2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22
War Service 751 627 505 387 308
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) 21,872 24,676 27,470 30,949 36,864
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) 5,107 5,848 6,790 8,315 10,864
Missing Service Code 4 0 0 0 0
Total: Veterans (in receipt of disability benefits) with a psychiatric diagnosis (incl. PTSD) 27,734 31,151 34,765 39,651 48,036
War Service 509 436 366 284 234
CAF 15,232 16,893 18,623 20,876 24,328
RCMP 4,187 4,780 5,549 6,877 9,086
Missing Service Code 2 0 0 0 0
Total: Veterans (in receipt of disability benefits) with a PTSD diagnosis 19,930 22,109 24,538 28,037 33,648

Source: Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Services Branch

Table 9.2 Veterans with Mental Health Conditions by Age and Sex as of March 2022

Age Male Female Unknown Total % by Age
Under 30 559 272 2 833 2%
30 to 39 6,405 1,403 1 7,809 16%
40 to 49 9,108 2,554 2 11,664 24%
50 to 59 12,631 2,983 16 15,630 33%
60 to 69 7,378 1,317 16 8,711 18%
70 or more 3,244 137 8 3,389 7%
Total 39,325 8,666 45 48,036 100%
% by Sex 82% 18% 0% 100% -

Source: Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Services Branch

Table 9.3 Mental Health – Quick Facts as of March 2022

Quick Facts

  • 33% of all Veterans in receipt of VAC benefits have disability benefits for a service-related psychiatric diagnosis.
  • 70% of Veterans in receipt of disability benefits for a mental health condition have PTSD.
  • 52% of Veterans in receipt of disability benefits for a mental health condition are married or have a common-law partner.
  • 22% of Veterans in receipt of disability benefits for a mental health condition are also eligible for Rehabilitation Program.
  • 41% of Veterans in receipt of disability benefits for a mental health condition are in receipt of Veterans Independence Program (VIP) benefits.

Source: Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Services Branch

 
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