Every April, we celebrate the Month of the Military Child and highlight the strength, perseverance and resilience of military children. The Atlas Institute is proud to shine a spotlight on the stories and experiences of the children of serving and Veteran members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) through the ups and downs of military Family life. We hope their voices and words inspire and provide hope to all children of those who serve and show them that they are not alone.

Military “children” come in all ages, whether they are 3, 30, or 90 years old. No matter how old they are, the “military brat” identity never truly goes away. They often experience life differently than the average Canadian, coping with their parents’ deployments, trainings, postings, transitions, life after service — and sometimes, the long-term mental health outcomes of their work. Through it all, they display adaptability, flexibility and strength. Like the dandelions that thrive wherever they are carried by the wind, military children often journey in various directions and flourish where they land.

Join us in commemorating this special month by honouring their spirit and contributions,  acknowledging their qualities and offering support. Check out the following links to discover stories from military children and various resources.

Hear from military children

The following videos feature military and Veteran children talking about what it’s like to live with someone with a posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) in the Family and how they take care of their own mental health.

On March 8, people around the world mark International Women’s Day in celebration of the achievements of women. The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families is taking the opportunity to salute all women, but especially the women of our Veteran and Veteran Family community. As part of their military and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) service, they have experienced unique challenges and barriers. We also recognize the equally important contributions of women in Veteran Families, as they support their currently serving or Veteran member. Today, we salute them and renew our pledge to advance research with the goal of better understanding their experiences and improving the services available to women Veterans and Family members.

#InspireInclusion

The International Women’s Day 2024 campaign theme is #InspireInclusion, which aims to create a more inclusive world for women where there is a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. The battle for inclusion felt by active and Veteran women from the military and RCMP has created challenging careers for some and has often impacted their life after service.  Yet, women members have also shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of these challenges. These efforts have helped to blaze a trail and create a better, more inclusive future for other women following them.

We asked women Veterans to share their experiences of serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) or Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and how inclusion played a role in their careers. Read the new Perspectives blog post to discover what they had to say.

Learn about other initiatives focused on women Veterans at Atlas:

The Athena Project: We are proud to have gathered a group of women Veterans of the CAF and RCMP under the umbrella of the Athena Project, an initiative dedicated to research and building connections in support of women Veterans’ well-being. We consult and collaborate with women Veterans to shape the initiative and all projects that will come out of it.

Veteran women: Consider participating in a new Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families study: The first project to come out of the Athena Project is a study examining the association between unmet health and well-being needs and the mental health of women Veterans of the CAF and RCMP. We know that women Veterans of the CAF and RCMP experience mental and physical health conditions differently than men Veterans and women in the general population, including having higher rates of chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.

To begin to understand the unique health experiences and needs of women Veterans, we want to know how women accessed care during service and how they are accessing care now.  We are also interested in how women Veterans have supported their own well-being and their current mental and physical health. Finally, we want to know if any experiences from service relate to health and well-being as a Veteran.

For some, the holidays are a period of joy and festivity. For others, including many Veterans and their Families, it can be marked by a persistent sad or empty mood, feelings of hopelessness or pessimism, or even irritability, frustration and restlessness. Separation from Family and friends during the festive season can also create intense feelings of sadness and longing. With the holidays following closely after Remembrance Day, this can also be a solemn time.

The pressure to be social and partake in holiday activities can at times be too much for those living with a posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI).  PTSIs can have an impact on day-to-day functioning, mental health and the experience of the holiday season. The experience, traditions, needs and feelings of Veterans and their Families may be diverse during this season.

It can be a difficult time to navigate, but there are ways to make it easier to manage for Veterans and their loved ones. It is important for Veterans and their Families to know that it’s okay to focus on their own needs first. This might include coming up with a plan to navigate the holidays that feels good for them, even if that means stepping away from busy festivities and making new traditions.

And although connection is an important part of the holiday season, this can look different for everyone. It could mean spending time with your Family members and friends, or even come in the form of peer support.

Holiday resources for Veterans and Families

• Tips and strategies for supporting our kids during the holidays: To help support the youngest members of Families living with PTSD, we’ve developed some tips and strategies to help you help them get the most out of the season.
• 10-minute guided meditation: Bringing on holiday cheer: A breathing exercise to help manage holiday stress: This 3-step process — check-in, movement, check-in again — is an easy tool you can take with you throughout these holidays.
• MyGrief.ca: Grief doesn’t stop for the holiday season. MyGrief.ca is a free e-learning resource to help people better understand and move through grief in different situations, including grief after trauma.
• Managing holiday stress: This video shares ideas for making this holiday season a little happier and less stressful.

As we enter the holiday season, our thoughts are with the Veteran and Family community, as well as the active military members who are deployed over the festive season and Royal Canadian Mounted Police members who are working during the holidays to keep communities safe, and with their Families who are keeping the home fires burning. We appreciate you.

In times of war and peace, countless Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members serve and have served Canada at home and around the world, on land, at sea and in the air. Far too many have made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of peace and freedom for all. Many of those who made it home have returned with visible and invisible wounds, their lives forever changed.

Veterans’ service is as varied and diverse as Veterans themselves. They have served on multiple missions and campaigns such as the Second World War, Korean War and participated in peacekeeping and peace support operations. More recent operations include Afghanistan (2001–2014) and current missions in Latvia and Iraq. At home, Veterans have served on a multitude of domestic operations, including the response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing aid and support to long-term care facilities, as well as Operation LENTUS, the CAF’s response to natural disasters. All who have served are Veterans once they leave the CAF, and we recognize and thank them all for their service.

As we mark the start of Veterans’ Week 2023, we remember those who have sacrificed their lives in service to our country. We commemorate them by sharing their stories and experiences. We honour the Veterans who are still among us, including those who now live with posttraumatic stress injuries and other physical, emotional and moral injuries as a result of their courageous service.

Our thoughts are also with the military and Veteran Families who have lost loved ones. Families play a vital role in providing care for serving and Veteran CAF members, and we honour them as well.

This Veterans’ Week and every day, we invite you to take a short pause — at a minimum two minutes — to reflect on how Veterans have given us the life and freedoms we know.

A few ways to observe Veterans’ Week

Veterans’ Week 2023 video: On this Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day, we ask ourselves how best to honour Veterans and their Families today and every day of the year. The answer is quite simple: listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, take the time to pause and reflect, and never forget what each Veteran and their Family have given to us, as individuals and as a country.

View our new video in honour of Veterans’ Week 2023:

• Holding our breath — Creating a sacred space for remembrance: Read a blog post by Blackfoot artist Adrian Stimson who reflects on his experience in Afghanistan as part of the Canadian Forces Artists Program.
• Ways to remember: From watching, listening to and reading Veteran stories, to organizing and attending commemorative events, this article shares various ideas for actively participating in remembering the sacrifices and achievements of the Canadians who served and continue to serve our country at home and abroad.
• Military history resources: Explore Canada’s proud military history by visiting one of Canada’s military and aviation museums, downloading educational resources, or browsing online exhibits and photo galleries.
• Indigenous Veterans Day: On November 8, join in honouring and giving thanks for the service and legacy of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Veterans.
• Remembrance Day ceremonies: On Remembrance Day, November 11, attend the 2023 National Remembrance Day Ceremony in person at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, or watch the ceremony live on TV or online. You can also find the closest local Remembrance Day ceremony in your community using the Royal Canadian Legion’s event locator tool.

Helpful information for Veterans and Families

Veterans’ Week is the start of a season that can be challenging for some Veterans and Veteran Family members. Here are some resources that are available for Veterans and Families:

• Directory of services: List of resources and supports for military members, Veterans, and their Families, including links to crisis services, counselling and therapy, educational tools and peer support.
• Managing holiday stress: This downloadable PDF shares some tips to help Veterans and Veteran Family members manage the stress of the holiday season.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has played a significant role in Canada’s history since 1873. As the national police service, the RCMP has become an integral part of the country’s identity, earning global recognition for policing excellence and iconic “Mountie” image in their red serge uniform.

Beyond safeguarding communities both here in Canada and internationally, members of the RCMP are also dedicated community volunteers and active citizens who strive to make a positive impact. There are many examples highlighting their unwavering commitment to supporting communities, such as the Kindersley, Sask. detachment’s successful collection of over 1,000 pounds of donations for the local food bank and the RCMP’s national youth engagement program.

May 23, 2023 marks the 150th anniversary of the RCMP’s service to the public and to the security of our country. With more than 750 detachments from coast to coast to coast, the RCMP provides services in eight provinces, three territories, 150 municipalities and 600 Indigenous communities.

Join us as we honour this milestone anniversary across the country. To stay up-to-date with RCMP 150 events, activities and interesting facts, visit: rcmp-grc.gc.ca/rcmp150-grc150

We serve: A video series honouring and recognizing the many roles RCMP Veterans and their Families play

Community service comes with unique challenges that can impact the mental health and well-being of RCMP Veterans and their Families. Responding to high-intensity crime scenes, natural disasters, hostage situations and other challenging incidents often exposes them to physical and emotional risks. These experiences also disrupt their personal lives, which can result in feelings of isolation, exhaustion, loneliness and stress. Their loved ones, including children and youth, may feel the impact, even if they have not directly witnessed any traumatic events.

We are excited to announce the launch of a video campaign honouring the RCMP’s 150 years of dedicated service to keeping our country safe. To foster community empathy and raise awareness about the diverse experiences of RCMP Veterans and their Families, this series features short documentary profiles of current and former RCMP members sharing what it means to serve and the impact their service has had on them and their loved ones.

New episodes will be released in the upcoming weeks. Be sure to bookmark this page and stay tuned as we unveil each captivating story!

In celebration of the Month of the Military Child 2023, the Atlas Institute is proud to showcase the children of serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members as well as those of Veterans. Military and Veteran “kids” can be all ages – from senior citizens whose parents fought in the Second World War to middle-aged individuals to young adults and youth. These remarkable individuals have displayed adaptability, flexibility and strength in various situations, playing a vital role in their Family units. Like the dandelions that thrive wherever they are carried by the wind, military and Veteran children often have journeyed in various directions and flourished where they land.

This month of celebration provides an opportunity for us to highlight the strength and perseverance of military and Veteran children through their stories. By sharing their experiences, we hope to inspire and provide hope to others who may face similar experiences.

Join us in commemorating this special month with our heartwarming video animation that highlights military children, both past and present, as superheroes! Let’s honour their spirit and contributions by acknowledging their superhero qualities and offering support wherever they may be. Share this video with friends and family to spread the love and appreciation!

Visit our latest blog, Perspectives, to read new profiles and hear diverse voices sharing what it’s like to be military and Veteran child.

While many of us are gearing up for the holiday season, for some Veterans and their Families this time of the year is marked by grief, anxiety and depression. The pressure to be social, festive and joyful can be too much for many living with a post-traumatic stress injury. For others, separations from Family and friends can create intense feelings of sadness and longing.

At the Atlas Institute, we know that the season can be a difficult one to navigate. We know that Veterans can be surrounded by their Families and friends and still feel lonely. Veterans can be spreading kindness in their communities during this season and still feel hopeless. It’s possible to be experiencing the joys of this season with people you love and still feel discouraged. You are not alone – there are many resources that can help.

Follow us on our social channels and get 12 days of ideas and resources for making the season a little brighter.

To get started, take a look at our special resources;

• Managing holiday stress
• Coping with the Holidays
• Tips and strategies for supporting our kids during the holidays

You’ll find tips and ideas for managing the harder parts of the holidays. You’ll also find some ideas for creating celebrations that work for you!

Take a look at our new video that shares ideas for making the holiday season a little happier.

Veterans and their Families often have powerful stories to tell. Stories of strength and courage in the face of challenges, of resilience and healing after experiences of trauma, and of hope in the midst of darkness.

By sharing these stories, we hope to help others know they are not alone, and to honour the rich and diverse experiences of Canada’s Veteran and Family community.

Created by Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans and Family members from across Canada — and told in their own words — these new digital stories bring to life real experiences that include profound loss, intense struggles and mental health challenges, while also providing a spark of hope.

Watch the digital stories here.

Honouring the service, courage and sacrifice of Canada’s military and Veteran community

Throughout the generations, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members have bravely served at home and around the world, on land, at sea and in the air, in pursuit of peace and freedom for all. Many paid the ultimate price for this ideal. Others returned home changed forever, with both visible and invisible wounds.

As we mark the start of Veterans’ Week 2022, we remember those who have sacrificed their lives in service to this country. We commemorate them by sharing their stories and experiences. We honour the Veterans who are still among us, including those who now live with post-traumatic stress and other physical, emotional and moral injuries as a result of their courageous service.

As well, we think of the military Families who have lost loved ones. We recognize the vital role Family members play in providing care and support to currently serving and former CAF members, and we honour them too.

This Veterans’ Week — and every day — we invite you to pause and reflect on the proud achievements and invaluable contributions these brave Canadians have made.

Commemorating key milestone anniversaries in 2022

This year includes several notable anniversaries for Canada’s military operations at home and abroad. Learn more about each of these historic events:

• 25th anniversary of the Red River Flood – May 1997
• 30th anniversary of the beginning of peace support efforts in the Balkans – beginning April 1992
• 70th anniversary of the Battle of Hill 355 during the Korean War – November 22–25, 1951
• 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid – August 19, 1942
• 105th anniversary of the Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele battles:
  • Battle of Vimy Ridge – April 9–12, 1917
  • Passchendaele – October 1917

A few ways to observe Veterans’ Week

• Ways to remember: From watching, listening to and reading Veteran stories, to organizing and attending commemorative events in your community, this article shares various ideas for actively participating in remembering the sacrifices and achievements of the Canadians who served and continue to serve our country at home and abroad.
• Military history resources: Explore Canada’s proud military history by visiting one of Canada’s military and aviation museums, downloading educational resources, or browsing online exhibits and photo galleries.
• Indigenous Veterans Day: On November 8, join in honouring and giving thanks for the service and legacy of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Veterans.
• Remembrance Day ceremonies: On Remembrance Day, November 11, attend the 2022 National Remembrance Day Ceremony in person at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, or watch the ceremony live on TV or online. You can also find the closest local Remembrance Day ceremony in your community using the Royal Canadian Legion’s event locator tool.

Support is available

Veterans’ Week is the start of a season that can be challenging for some Veterans and Veteran Family members. Here are some resources that are available for Veterans and Families:

• Directory of services: List of resources and supports for military members, Veterans, and their Families, including links to crisis services, counselling and therapy, educational tools and peer support.
• Coping with the holidays resource: This downloadable PDF shares some tips to help Veterans and Veteran Family members reduce the stress of the holiday season.

On Indigenous Veterans Day, we honour the almost 15,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples who have served or are serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Read our latest blog post to learn about an initiative to ensure that every Indigenous Veteran’s burial place is located and honoured with a special marker.

A day to honour, celebrate and remember

Every year, on the third Friday in September, we pause to honour Canadian Military Families, to celebrate their contributions and to remember their sacrifices.

Over 2,000 CAF personnel are deployed annually, on operations nationally and internationally, that include (but aren’t limited to) things like protecting Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic, preventing illegal fishing and providing training to troops in Ukraine.

Each one of those members in uniform is someone’s spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, or friend. While the members serve Canada, the military Families back at home often mark special occasions, illnesses, births, and other milestones without them. They raise families, continue careers and run households, remaining ready to welcome loved ones in uniform home when their mission is complete. They are the ones who keep the home fires burning.

More than ever, it is vital for Canadians in all communities to support each other. By recognizing, strengthening, and supporting the Family members and friends who stand beside our service members, we give those who are in the service invaluable support: the peace of mind that comes with knowing all is well back home.

Join members of the team at the Atlas Institute as we say a big “thank you!” to military and Veteran Family members and friends – today and every day.