Members of The Royal Canadian Regiment carry the casket at the funeral for Warrant Office Michael Robert McNeil at the Truro Armouries in Truro, N.S. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. McNeil completed several tours of duty including Afghanistan, Bosnia and Croatia. McNeil took his own life late last month at CFB Petawawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
December 05, 2013 - 7:51 AM
TRURO, N.S. - The younger brother of a soldier whose death has raised questions about the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder says members of the military need to know they have support.
Speaking before Warrant Officer Michael McNeil's funeral today, Kevin McNeil says PTSD is a problem that is not going to stop, but the risks need to be minimized.
McNeil's death at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, northwest of Ottawa, is among four recent suicides in the military.
The Armed Forces acknowledges it will be dealing with an increased number of PTSD cases in the next decade as the stress of combat takes hold in those who have returned from the fighting in Afghanistan.
A funeral for 39-year-old McNeil, who was a member 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, was held in Truro, N.S., today.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper weighed in on the issue on Wednesday, saying everyone should encourage veterans in need to reach out to the support and systems that are there to help.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013