Mishall RehmanMore than $950 million will be invested in new and existing health and wellness programs and services as part of the new Defence Team Total Health and Wellness strategy announced Friday by the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
The new strategy covers a variety of aspects and a holistic approach to addressing sexual misconduct, systemic racism, harassment, and discrimination, with an effort to support diversity and inclusion. It addresses issues that affect CAF and DND members both at work and outside the workplace environment.
“It is an important day for the Defence Team as we announce the publication of the Defence Team Total Health and Wellness Strategy. This strategy reinforces our commitment to health and wellness through continued investment in related strategies, programs and services for the entire Defence Team, including our retiring and ill or injured members. The health and wellness of all Defence Team members and their families, is, without a doubt, my top priority,” said Anita Anand, minister of national defence.
“Enhancing our health and wellness services are crucial to the health and operational effectiveness of the Canadian Armed Forces. We have a duty to ensure our personnel remain mentally and physically fit, ready to meet the demands of our contemporary operational environment and the challenges of our military lifestyle. This important strategy builds on our efforts to ensure military and non-military members of the Defence Team are cared for and supported as they under take their most important task defending Canada and Canadians,” said Gen. Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff.
Creation of New Offices
To support this new strategy, DND and CAF have created the Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC). The role of the CPCC is to lead “cultural transformation, and ensure that our behaviours reflect the very best parts of our organization, and Canadian society,” according to a DND press release.
The CPCC will work in co-ordination with the Anti-Racism Secretariat to create an environment that is “anchored in equity, dignity and respect for all members across DND/CAF,” the press release continued.
Additionally, a Total Health and Wellness Monitory Office has been established under the new strategy. This office will ensure the monitoring of the strategy’s action plans and the application of lessons-learned and evidence-based decision making.
Specific Objectives
There are a number of tangible short-term and long-term objectives set in the strategy to assist not only CAF members but also their families. Some areas impacted by the new strategy include Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs), women’s health, Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Centre of Expertise, and other changes on bases and wings.
“Enhancing our health and wellness services are crucial to the health and operational effectiveness of the Canadian Armed Forces. We have a duty to ensure our personnel remain mentally and physically fit, ready to meet the demands of our contemporary operational environment and the challenges of our military lifestyle. This important strategy builds on our efforts to ensure military and non-military members of the Defence Team are cared for and supported as they under take their most important task defending Canada and Canadians,” said Gen. Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff.
Military Family Resource Centres Expanded
Under the new strategy, families can expect to see MFRCs services expanded to be able to support when and where required. According to DND, CAF members and families will now see reduced wait times for mental health services, improved family access to tele-medicine services and childcare requests; and increased access to counselling services.
Support After Ailment or Injury
If a CAF member is injured or ill, more support will be provided throughout their recovery process and their decision to return to work or transition out under this new policy.
Also, under the strategy, 30 additional occupational therapists will be staffed to develop and provide evidence-based physical and mental rehabilitation programs. An additional 48 nurse case managers will also be staffed to deliver healthcare co-ordination and support to CAF members with complex needs.
In addition, the Office of Disability Management will be expanded to offer personalized support services to injured, ill, or impaired public service employees of all Level One and command organizations through the establishment of additional regional offices, providing the required capacity to maintain a healthy workforce.
Workplace Harassment
The Defence Team Total Health and Wellness strategy also introduces the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Centre of Expertise as a key enabler to effectively prevent, report, respond to, and support victims of workplace harassment and violence occurrences involving public service employees within the Defence Team.
The goal of the new office is to provide clarity, strategic centralization, and subject matter expertise in a field that is often complex and extremely stressful for those concerned.
Other Policies
Also, a part of the Defence Team Total Health and Wellness strategy is prioritizing women’s health by implementing the Women’s Health Framework.
Under this framework, the goal is to:
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- increase knowledge surrounding women’s everyday and long-term health,
- optimize preventive medicine for women,
- support women’s health care in the military context, and
- enhance women’s occupational performance.
Another change expected under the strategy is arming bases, wings, and units with the BALANCE program. BALANCE is the CAF’s Physical Performance Strategy. Under this strategy, 44 new staff were hired, with 18 of these positions providing direct support to the 310 Reserve units dispersed across the country.
