WHAT’S NEW

The elephant in the room: How can PTSD impact Veterans and their Families?

In a new episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna have a personal conversation about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its unique impacts on serving military members, Veterans and their Families.

Brian shares his experience coming to terms with his own PTSD diagnosis, including the challenges around talking openly about mental health and the fears of potential career consequences. Together the hosts explore the journey from injury to acceptance, the stigma that can make PTSD feel like the “elephant in the room” and the reality that Family members are affected in their own ways and need their own supports.

Learning to breathe: My healing as a military child

“Being able to give back to this community – to my father, my husband, my children and to other military kids who are still learning how to breathe – has been deeply meaningful. If one simple question could open the door to healing for me, I can only hope the work we do helps others to feel seen sooner than I did. Because when we can name these experiences and make room for them, we don’t just grow, we heal.”

Growing up with a parent living with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can shape a child in ways that can take years to fully understand. In a new Perspectives blog, an Atlas team member reflects on how her father’s PTSD and hypervigilance influenced her childhood and her Family. She shares what she’s learned and how she wants to share what she’s learned from her experiences to help others in the community.

COMMUNITY CORNER

“In that moment, I felt a connection, and I felt the mask I was wearing slip off my face. I realized I had something unique to offer my community.”

— Watch Grant’s digital story

Stories from Veterans and Families

Stories heal. Whether in telling one’s own or in hearing the experiences of another — stories often provide a spark of hope. Check out our library of digital stories created by Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and former Royal Canadian Mounted Police members, and their Families from across Canada. In bringing these stories to life, their hope is to support others in the Veteran and Family community on their own journeys.

EVENTS AND TRAINING

June 25, 2026 — Digital stories screening: Giving a voice to the Veteran and Family community, one story at a time

You’re invited to a free screening to explore a new series of digital stories created with and told by Veterans and Veteran Family members. The people in these stories courageously trace their journeys of reclaiming identity, reshaping pain into purpose and moving beyond silence by embracing the strength of community.

This event will include a screening of six short videos and the opportunity to ask questions with the featured storytellers, while offering you the chance to reflect on what might resonate with your own journey.

SELF-PACED TRAINING

FEATURED RESOURCE

Military sexual trauma resources for Veterans, Family members and service providers

Military sexual trauma describes the psychological, physical and social “wounds” that people may feel after experiencing sexual and gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence during their service. Members of the Veteran and Family community have identified military sexual trauma as a deeply troubling reality for many Canadian Armed Forces Veterans. It can also affect Family members as they learn about their loved one’s experiences and witness the impacts.

For this reason, it is vital for people who have experienced it, the friends and Family members who support them, and health care providers who work with them to have practical information and tools to improve understanding of military sexual trauma, navigate its impacts and learn how to provide better care and support.

As part of Sexual Violence Prevention Month in May, we invite you to stand with and show support for those impacted by military sexual trauma and explore information and resources on this topic for Veterans, Family members and health care providers.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Research Compass highlights ongoing Atlas research

The sixth issue of Research Compass is out now, showcasing the latest information about our Veteran and Family well-being and mental health research.

Each issue features current updates on studies in which you can participate, recent research we have presented, how to get involved in our research, and our latest publications. Issue 6 includes highlights on:

• A recently published storytelling and research-based research project highlighting lived experiences relating to transition from the Canadian Armed Forces
• New research published in a special edition of the Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health
• A recruiting study on women Veterans’ reproductive health

and more.

Study participation opportunity: Women’s international operations experiences and mental health

Atlas has partnered with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and other research partners to better understand the distinct experiences of women in international deployments. Themes to be explored include interactions with local populations (e.g. children) and experiences that challenge deeply held values. Findings from this study will be used to improve supports for internationally deployed women.

Participants will be asked to take part in a 60- to 90-minute one-to-one virtual interview with a trained interviewer who identifies as a woman. Compensation will be provided for all participants.

To participate, you must:

• Identify as a woman
• Be a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces or Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or a current or former member of a law enforcement agency
• Have served in an overseas deployment
• Be a resident of Canada
• Speak English and/or French

To inquire about participating in the study, contact jen.estrella@camh.ca.

Study participation opportunity: Reproductive and mental health of women Veterans in Canada and the United Kingdom

Military and policing service can have unique impacts on women’s health, including their mental and reproductive health. Sharing your experience will help to generate long-awaited evidence on this topic in Canada and the United Kingdom. Atlas has partnered with the Centre for Military Women’s Research at Anglia Ruskin University to explore and compare the mental and reproductive health of women Veterans of the Canadian and UK militaries, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and UK police. Participation involves filling out a one-time online survey that allows completion in multiple sessions. The survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

To participate, you must be:

• A woman (female sex at birth) Veteran of the Canadian or UK military, or former uniformed member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or UK police
• Aged 18+
• Comfortable reading and writing in either English or French
• Living in Canada or the UK

You will be asked questions on reproductive health touching on topics such as fertility, contraceptive use, menopause, sexual health and mental health. Participate to help us better understand this important issue affecting women Veterans and to support recommendations for further research or health care practice and policy! We also encourage you to share this study with your fellow women Veterans.

PARTNERSHIP AND STAKEHOLDER SPOTLIGHT

Celebrating the launch of True Patriot Love Foundation’s National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan

Volunteering plays a vital role in helping Veterans rediscover purpose, rebuild connections and support their well-being after service.

The launch of True Patriot Love Foundation’s National Veteran Volunteerism Action Plan is a significant step in the ongoing commitment to supporting Veteran volunteerism, which is why we were honoured to attend the launch on Tuesday, April 21 at the Canadian Museum of History. The event was truly inspiring and highlighted the power of collective action in supporting those who have served.

We’re proud to stand alongside True Patriot Love Foundation in creating more opportunities for Veterans post-service. This work reflects an ongoing commitment to supporting Veterans in order to build a culture that actively values and sustains Veteran volunteerism.

Together, these efforts will help ensure more Veterans can find purpose connection and opportunity beyond service. 

COMMEMORATIONS CALENDAR

View more commemorative dates

Follow us on social media