Mental health issues will be on the political platforms in the next federal election. Unfortunately, veteran’s mental health has been historically ignored, illustrated recently by the tragic discovery of Benjamin Van Eck’s body in London, Ontario. .When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told retired corporal Brock Blaszczyk at an Edmonton townhall in 2018, “Veteran’s groups are asking for more than we can give,” it was an insult. Yet it’s not just about money, it’s also an inefficient system that ignores those who need and deserve help most..Retired Royal Canadian Air Force Major Chris Semchuk was born in Edmonton, Alta. on Christmas Day 1972 and currently lives in Kingston, Ont. He grew up dreaming of becoming an air force pilot. .He signed up in 1997 shortly after university starting as an avionics technician and worked his way up to air weapons controller. Chris excelled and despite dyslexia making French proficiency unachievable, he secured the rank of Major by 2012. A battle with testicular cancer cut Chris’s third tour in Afghanistan short. .In 2014, Semchuck was honoured at Lupe’s Troops, a Maple Leaf’s regular season tradition. It was during the standing ovation that Semchuck suffered his first dissociative episode, indicating he had PTSD, or more accurately OSI (Operational Stress Injury). In 2017 he was given an honourable medical release. .He has been fighting the department of Veteran’s Affairs ever since, and for 1,236 days requested a meeting with his MP, Mark Gerretsen. He got less than half an hour and was sent a letter regurgitating the issues he brought to Gerretsen. .Lionel Desmond, no longer able to cope with OSI, killed his family before killing himself. There is an ongoing inquiry and Semchuck points out how a lack of responsiveness led to the tragedy. He says that the entire situation could have been avoided if a proper transition had been in place..Since 1992, soldiers were given Mefloquine, an anti-malaria drug known produce significant side-effects. Some believe that problems in Somalia were caused in some part from the adverse effects of this medication. The worst incident was the killing of Somalian teen, Shidane Arone by Master Cpl. Clayton Matchee. Later, Matchee attempted suicide and now lives in long term care due to his injuries. The inquiry into Somalia was cut short by the Chretien government, led to a slashing of the military budget by nearly 25%, and the disbanding of Canada’s storied Airborne regiment..MP Derek Sloan told the story of serving military personnel being strong-armed into taking the COVID-19 vaccinations. It is strongly implied those who do not comply will see an end to their military career. Semchuck explained when you enrol in military service, you become the effective property of the federal government..“You’re programmed to follow orders. The training is intense, and it becomes part of you. When you transition out, you do not get deprogrammed. Charities do the yeoman’s work, but accessing these programs is a lot of work for guys who are already struggling.”.The Canadian Armed Forces have been treated like disposable tools for decades, discarded when no longer useful. .Are the servicemen and women, like Chris Semchuk, asking too much? Semchuck still believes in the country he served. He wants Canada to be a “beacon of hope to the world,” an example of fairness and responsibility. .Marginalizing and ignoring veterans is a “waste of human resources and that’s the worst thing,” says Semchuck. “You have people who were willing to serve and still want to contribute. We are all just numbers and labels to this government. They’ve robbed us of our humanity.” .This is the crux of the problem with veteran’s mental health – a government that ignores the human in favour of a price tag or political points to be scored. .Semchuk is giving veteran’s a voice through his social media platforms. .“I have a mission and vision for my life which includes highlighting history and heritage, discussing veteran’s issues and service dog concerns. I have always been a leader – as a swim coach, a serviceman and as a human. I want people to first seek to understand and then do tangible things to help.” .Dignity, respect, and a helping hand; that doesn’t seem like too much for our veterans to ask of the country they bleed for..Gilly Davis is a guest columnist for the Western Standard
Mental health issues will be on the political platforms in the next federal election. Unfortunately, veteran’s mental health has been historically ignored, illustrated recently by the tragic discovery of Benjamin Van Eck’s body in London, Ontario. .When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told retired corporal Brock Blaszczyk at an Edmonton townhall in 2018, “Veteran’s groups are asking for more than we can give,” it was an insult. Yet it’s not just about money, it’s also an inefficient system that ignores those who need and deserve help most..Retired Royal Canadian Air Force Major Chris Semchuk was born in Edmonton, Alta. on Christmas Day 1972 and currently lives in Kingston, Ont. He grew up dreaming of becoming an air force pilot. .He signed up in 1997 shortly after university starting as an avionics technician and worked his way up to air weapons controller. Chris excelled and despite dyslexia making French proficiency unachievable, he secured the rank of Major by 2012. A battle with testicular cancer cut Chris’s third tour in Afghanistan short. .In 2014, Semchuck was honoured at Lupe’s Troops, a Maple Leaf’s regular season tradition. It was during the standing ovation that Semchuck suffered his first dissociative episode, indicating he had PTSD, or more accurately OSI (Operational Stress Injury). In 2017 he was given an honourable medical release. .He has been fighting the department of Veteran’s Affairs ever since, and for 1,236 days requested a meeting with his MP, Mark Gerretsen. He got less than half an hour and was sent a letter regurgitating the issues he brought to Gerretsen. .Lionel Desmond, no longer able to cope with OSI, killed his family before killing himself. There is an ongoing inquiry and Semchuck points out how a lack of responsiveness led to the tragedy. He says that the entire situation could have been avoided if a proper transition had been in place..Since 1992, soldiers were given Mefloquine, an anti-malaria drug known produce significant side-effects. Some believe that problems in Somalia were caused in some part from the adverse effects of this medication. The worst incident was the killing of Somalian teen, Shidane Arone by Master Cpl. Clayton Matchee. Later, Matchee attempted suicide and now lives in long term care due to his injuries. The inquiry into Somalia was cut short by the Chretien government, led to a slashing of the military budget by nearly 25%, and the disbanding of Canada’s storied Airborne regiment..MP Derek Sloan told the story of serving military personnel being strong-armed into taking the COVID-19 vaccinations. It is strongly implied those who do not comply will see an end to their military career. Semchuck explained when you enrol in military service, you become the effective property of the federal government..“You’re programmed to follow orders. The training is intense, and it becomes part of you. When you transition out, you do not get deprogrammed. Charities do the yeoman’s work, but accessing these programs is a lot of work for guys who are already struggling.”.The Canadian Armed Forces have been treated like disposable tools for decades, discarded when no longer useful. .Are the servicemen and women, like Chris Semchuk, asking too much? Semchuck still believes in the country he served. He wants Canada to be a “beacon of hope to the world,” an example of fairness and responsibility. .Marginalizing and ignoring veterans is a “waste of human resources and that’s the worst thing,” says Semchuck. “You have people who were willing to serve and still want to contribute. We are all just numbers and labels to this government. They’ve robbed us of our humanity.” .This is the crux of the problem with veteran’s mental health – a government that ignores the human in favour of a price tag or political points to be scored. .Semchuk is giving veteran’s a voice through his social media platforms. .“I have a mission and vision for my life which includes highlighting history and heritage, discussing veteran’s issues and service dog concerns. I have always been a leader – as a swim coach, a serviceman and as a human. I want people to first seek to understand and then do tangible things to help.” .Dignity, respect, and a helping hand; that doesn’t seem like too much for our veterans to ask of the country they bleed for..Gilly Davis is a guest columnist for the Western Standard
