Profile of Veteran and former Atlas Institute reference group member Floyd Powder and his appointment as sergeant-at-arms for the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly. His extensive volunteer work includes involvement with Atlas, the Last Post Fund and Métis National Council, which highlights his commitment to community service.
Refugee advocates express concern over the planned CF-18 fighter jet flyby at Ottawa Redblacks game, noting it may be triggering for those with war experiences. Fardous Hosseiny, President and CEO of the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, suggests re-evaluating the necessity of such flybys and taking into consideration those who have ve left situations of conflict and are struggling.
Former Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers Jim Wong and Ross MacInnes shared their posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experiences in an Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families campaign. They highlight the importance of informal discussions among officers as a coping mechanism. Wong, affected by witnessing numerous tragedies, benefited from psychological support. MacInnes, haunted by a traumatic incident, found solace in sharing with civilian friends. The campaign emphasizes mental health challenges faced by Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP members.
Wounded Warriors Canada and the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families have launched a course for health professionals on caring for traumatized front-line personnel, including Veterans and first responders. The course, developed by Dr. Tim Black, aims to enhance care by shifting perspectives and teaching emotional regulation techniques. Over 350 professionals have enrolled, with the first 500 receiving it free. This initiative addresses the long-standing need for better mental health support in these communities.
The Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ont. is partnering with the Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (now known as the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families) in Ottawa on a study investigating the impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s Veterans. The studyalso aims to examine the coping mechanisms of spouses of Veterans, who take on significant caregiving responsibilities. It will also examine risk factors, such as job losses or reduced hours, and the types of support needed to prevent further distress.
In 2012, while in Afghanistan, Canadian soldier Brian McKenna faced moral challenges when he had to let child traffickers pass during vehicle searches for explosives. This experience, among others, led to his diagnosis of moral injury, a psychological harm stemming from actions or situations that conflict with one’s ethical beliefs. Concerns are rising about moral injuries among military personnel, especially with their involvement in COVID-19 responses, such as assisting in long-term care facilities. The Department of National Defence is funding research with the goal of providing insights into this less understood aspect of psychological trauma, distinct from posttraumatic stress disorder.
