WHAT’S NEW

June is PTSD and Brain Injury Awareness Month

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have a lot in common, including overlapping symptoms and a significant impact on the Veteran and Family community. Often, Veterans are misdiagnosed with PTSD when their symptoms are actually caused by a TBI. This is why it is so important to have access to clear, reliable information about both.

This month, we encourage you to deepen your understanding of both PTSD and TBI. By recognizing the signs and seeking the right support, you can better advocate for your health and well-being. Check out our list of resources for Veterans, Family members and the health care providers who support them.

Visit our campaign pages:

Mental Health Week 2025

We acknowledged Mental Health Week in May and the theme of “Unmasking mental health,” by encouraging the Veteran and Family community to have open and honest conversations about their mental health. Our goal at Atlas is for the community to move away from isolation and move toward validation, by listening and responding to their lived experiences.

Check out some of our most-requested resources that have been co-created with Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans, Families and the mental health professionals who work with them.

National Police Week 2025

During National Police Week, Atlas acknowledged the vital role of police officers in keeping our communities safe, extending our gratitude to members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Military Police (MP), both serving and Veteran, as well as their Families who have stood beside them throughout their careers.

We continue to honour this service by listening to your lived experiences and sharing your stories all throughout the year, helping the community to understand the sacrifices involved in the work of a police officer. Learn more and browse a list of resources for retired RCMP members, MP Veterans and their Families.

The hidden impacts of intergenerational trauma with guests Guy Dallaire and Tarik Kadri

In a new podcast episode, host Laryssa Lamrock is joined by guest co-host Tarik Kadri and special guest Guy Dallaire for a conversation exploring the impacts and complexities of vicarious trauma and intergenerational trauma among military and Veteran Families.

Some topics they explore:

• The key differences between trauma, vicarious trauma and intergenerational trauma
• The impacts of military service on Families, particularly children
• Support options and coping mechanisms for dealing with trauma-related issues
• Encouragement and advice for open conversations about mental health within Families

Flipping a switch: My journey from Reservist to Atlas

“It was an honour to serve in the CAF. I am proud of my service and I am thankful for all that have served and continue to serve today. I hope that together we are able to improve systems, treatments and supports to better the mental health of Veterans and Families.”

In a new Perspectives blog post, Leo Goudal shares about his experience transitioning from being a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Reservist to a full-time civilian working to improve mental health systems for Veterans and Families.

From volunteer night shifts at a crisis line to military training and graduate studies, Leo’s story is a powerful reflection on resilience, identity and transition out of military service.

COMMUNITY CORNER

Springtime Prairie road trip

The Atlas Institute Lived Experience team wrapped up an incredible road trip in May as part of their latest listening tour focused on Veteran and Family mental health, making for a truly meaningful experience.

The team visited the Moose Jaw Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), where the staff were warm, welcoming and eager to collaborate. The MFRC team shared their passion for breaking the stigma around mental health and tackling tough topics like moral injury. The listening tour also included a visit to the Royal Regina Rifles Reserve unit, where the Atlas team heard valuable perspectives on the challenges service members face, reinforcing the importance of strong mental health initiatives. Finally, they had an equally impactful conversation with the Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) group in Regina, diving deep into the realities of mental health support for Veterans and Families and exploring ways to strengthen resources through collaboration. It was truly inspiring to see the dedication and learn from the insights of the OSISS team.

Seeing first-hand the commitment these teams had to implementing meaningful programs in the community made for an uplifting time in Saskatchewan. Team Atlas is excited for future opportunities to work together and continue making a positive impact! Thanks for having us!

EVENTS AND TRAINING

SELF-PACED TRAINING

FEATURED RESOURCE

Traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder

There are some similar symptoms experienced with both traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sometimes, this can mean that a person may be misdiagnosed with one condition when they have the other, or that they are unaware that they have both TBI and PTSD. Some Veterans who have a PTSD diagnosis may find out that they have a TBI after PTSD treatment doesn’t alleviate all of their symptoms.

Learn more about the links between TBI and PTSD, including a helpful comparison chart of the different and similar symptoms for the two conditions, as well as information on pathways to treatment.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Recruiting studies: Thriving after service, women’s health, sleep, and more

Various research projects are underway at Atlas and we are actively seeking participants. Learn more about each study and how you can participate:

• Thriving after service: The prevalence and predictors of flourishing among military and RCMP Veterans
  This study will examine what makes Canadian Veterans feel like they are thriving or flourishing in post-service life. Researchers will seek to identify the factors associated with flourishing and positive mental health, with the goal of providing important insights on how best to promote Veteran mental health and well-being.

• Examining the association between unmet health and well-being needs and mental health for women Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  This study is looking to understand women Veterans’ experiences in service, access to health care and mental health and well-being. Your participation can help advance knowledge in support of the well-being of women Veterans like you.

• An exploratory study of the sleep health of Canadian Veterans and their Families
  This study seeks to better understand how Veterans and their Family members experience sleep. The results of this study will allow us to better understand the factors associated with sleep health, how sleep impacts daily activities, what health, behavioural and environmental factors are associated with sleep quality in Veterans, and what should be captured in sleep health resources.

• Virtually delivered breathing-based meditation for Canadian Veterans with PTSD
  Researchers at Sinai Health System are investigating the effectiveness and implementation of Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY), a form of breathing-based meditation that may help Veterans living with PTSD. This study involves participating in virtually delivered breathing-based meditation sessions over the course of six weeks.

• Brain measures linked to hyperarousal in PTSD using MRI imaging
  The purpose of this magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study is to examine a particular type of brain image (neuromelanin-sensitive MRI) that has been shown to be related to a brain chemical called noradrenaline. The function of this chemical may be changed in PTSD and could be connected to experiences of elevated fear and arousal. In this study, researchers will measure this type of brain image and see if it is related to PTSD symptoms or if it is related to how the body and brain responds to an uncomfortable stimulation.

Visit the recruiting studies page to find out more and participate.

Problematic anger in a treatment-seeking Canadian Veteran population: Prevalence, assessment and treatment implications

A recent study, titled Problematic anger in a treatment-seeking Canadian Veteran population: Prevalence, assessment and treatment implications, is the first to explore problematic anger specifically within the context of the Canadian Armed Forces military members and Veterans.

The study found that nearly two-thirds of Veterans surveyed reported experiencing problematic anger — higher than previously documented rates.

These findings highlight the importance of screening for problematic anger during mental health assessments and point to a continued need for research, assessment and treatment approaches tailored to the experiences of military and Veteran populations in Canada.

PARTNERSHIP AND STAKEHOLDER SPOTLIGHT

Connecting with the Francophone Veteran community in Quebec

The Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement team recently had the opportunity to travel to Quebec to be a part of the Veterans’ Fair (Le Salon des vétérans), an event collaboratively organized by the Veterans Transition Network, the Quebec Veterans Foundation, Veterans UN-NATO Canada, Military Family Resource Centre Montreal Region and The Royal Canadian Legion. It also presented a great opportunity to connect with current and prospective partner organizations in the region.

Our first meeting was with the Quebec Veterans Foundation, an organization that supports Veteran transition programs. We then connected with Le Sentier, which provides support and assistance to Veterans in transition, and had the chance to visit their Dorval location and discover how they implement unique approaches to foster Veteran well-being. Finally, we met with François Deschênes, president of the the RCMP Veterans Association — Quebec Region, to learn more about their mission and how we can work together to support former RCMP members.

At the Veterans’ Fair, which took place at Ste. Anne’s Hospital on April 26, Atlas had a booth where Veterans, Veteran Family members and service providers could discover our various resources on topics such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, suicide prevention, military sexual trauma, and Family mental health. The event is focused on increasing the visibility of services available to Veterans and Families and facilitating networking among service providers.

We look forward to future opportunities to connect with our partners in Quebec and with Francophone Veterans!

COMMEMORATIONS CALENDAR

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