Prevalence of Past-Year Mental Disorders in the Canadian Armed Forces, 2002-2013

Abstract

Objective: More than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel have deployed in support of the mission in Afghanistan since 2002. Over the same period, the CAF strengthened its mental health system. This article explores the effect of these events on the prevalence of past-year mental disorders over the period 2002-2013. Method: The data sources were 2 highly comparable population-based mental health surveys of CAF Regular Force personnel done in 2002 and 2013 ( n = 5155 and 6996, respectively). Data were collected via in-person interviews with Statistics Canada personnel using the World Health Organization’s Composite International Diagnostic Interview to assess past-year disorders. Results: In 2013, 16.5% had 1 or more of the 6 past-year disorders assessed in the survey, with the most common conditions being major depressive episode (MDE), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which affected 8.0%, 5.3%, and 4.7%, respectively. The prevalence of PTSD, GAD, and panic disorder has increased significantly since 2002 (adjusted odds ratios from logistic regression models = 2.1, 3.0, and 1.9, respectively), while no change was seen for MDE. The comorbidity of mood and anxiety disorders increased significantly over time, being seen in 27.4% and 41.0% of those with mental disorders in 2002 and 2013, respectively. Conclusion: There has been an increase in the prevalence of PTSD and other anxiety disorders and of the extent of comorbidity of mood and anxiety disorders in CAF personnel over the period 2002-2013.