47.7%
PTSD screening among serving RCMP respondents
[1] Carleton et al. (2024), original study (opens in a new tab)NPF report, Table 4 (opens in a new tab)
OUR APPROACH
Support today.
Learn over time.
Understand the need, explore the research and see how Project Life Spark hopes to contribute to Canadian evidence.
THE NEED, IN CONTEXT
The Numbers Tell Us Something
That We Can't Ignore.
34.1%
Lifetime suicidal thoughts in a related RCMP analysis
[2] Nisbet et al. (2024), CIMVHR abstract 2E03 (opens in a new tab)NPF report, Table 3 (opens in a new tab)
9 days
2.5×
Suicide risk among male veterans under 25
64.7% of RCMP respondents screened positive for at least one disorder
Carleton et al. (2024) (opens in a new tab)NPF report, Table 4 (opens in a new tab)
143 Regular Force deaths by suicide, 2012 to 2021
[4] Total from National Defence, 2023 report, Tables 5 and 9 (opens in a new tab)
Firefighters and paramedics also belong in this conversation. Canada's National Suicide Prevention Action Plan (opens in a new tab) identifies public safety personnel as a priority population. These findings help explain the need for support; they do not describe every person’s experience.
EXTERNAL TREATMENT RESEARCH
What the research shows.
What we're still learning.
These studies examined different treatments and populations. They are not Project Life Spark results or promises about an individual's care.
83%10 of 12 participants
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
In a small randomized pilot study, 10 of 12 participants receiving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria at the two-month endpoint, compared with 2 of 8 receiving psychotherapy with placebo.
[5] Mithoefer et al. (2011), original study; first published online in 2010 (opens in a new tab)88%average symptom reduction
Magnesium and ibogaine
A 2024 uncontrolled observational study of 30 male US Special Operations veterans with predominantly mild traumatic brain injury reported an average 88% reduction in PTSD symptoms one month after treatment.
[6] Cherian et al. (2024), Nature Medicine (opens in a new tab)Stanford’s explanation of the 88% figure (opens in a new tab)96%participant-rated comparison
Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT
In a retrospective survey of 51 US Special Operations veterans, 96% rated a treatment program in Mexico as much better than treatments they had previously tried.
[7] Davis et al. (2020), original study (opens in a new tab)These figures describe specific historical studies, not a complete review of the evidence or a statement of treatment approval. Clinical partners need to explain current evidence, risks, alternatives and suitability before any treatment decision.
VOLUNTARY OUTCOME TRACKING
A longer view
of the experience.
Project Life Spark's developing initiative includes post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, substance use, overall wellness, and head injury or blast exposure. The full ten-measure framework and scientific-partner details are still to be confirmed with the team.
- Beforetreatment
- Afterreturning home
- 3 monthsfollow-up
- 6 monthsfollow-up
- 1 yearfollow-up
Your participation is optional.
Declining future outcome tracking does not affect funding eligibility. This is separate from the clinical information needed for intake and care coordination.
A developing initiative.
Data collection is underway, while analysis, formal protocol development and research ethics review remain work to complete. This is not a completed or published Project Life Spark study.
FROM EXPERIENCE TO CANADIAN EVIDENCE
A longer-term
public purpose.
Project Life Spark's longer-term aim is to contribute Canadian data that can inform future research and healthcare discussions while supporting people now. The proposed Canadian Signal Study remains a developing initiative.
Build Canadian evidenceBefore deciding to take part
Ask what information is collected, who receives it, how it is handled, how consent works and what choices you have. The team should explain these details before you agree.
Ask about the data initiative