WHAT’S NEW

Veterans’ Week 2024

Veterans’ Week takes place November 5–11 each year, reminding us to honour those who serve and have served. We recognize the sacrifices of those living with invisible wounds, as well as those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. We invite you to visit our webpage to watch this year’s Veterans’ Week video sharing memories of a few of the individuals who gave their lives in service to our country, as well as to learn more about the different ways to observe and show your respect this week.

Navigating the impacts of military sexual trauma with Telah Morrison

Colonel (Ret’d) Telah Morrison, achieved an illustrious 35-year military career despite significant professional barriers she faced after coming forward about a sexual assault she experienced at military college.

Telah, co-chair of the board of directors of the Atlas Institute, joined Brian and Laryssa to share about the personal and professional impacts of military sexual trauma (MST), the role of leadership and community in supporting those who have been impacted, and the need for cultural shifts within the military to address and eliminate MST.

They explored:

• The lifelong impacts of MST and coping strategies for people who have been impacted
• The role of community and peer support in processing traumatic events and supporting well-being
• Fostering resilience and strength over time
• The significance of leaders talking about mental health and leading by example in seeking support

Transition, mental health and my journey to “small e” Systems Security Engineering

In a new Perspectives blog post, Canadian Armed Forces Veteran Pete Hillier, CD, looks back on his transition from a 20-year military career in signals intelligence (SIGINT) to the private sector. He reflects on his battles with anxiety, frustration and feelings of isolation — and how recognizing these symptoms ultimately led him to advocate for other Veterans’ mental health and well-being. His story reminds us that it is never too late to carve out a new path.

COMMUNITY CORNER

Atlas at the ANAVETS 56th Biennial Dominion Convention

Atlas was honoured to be invited to host a booth and present at the ANAVETS (Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada) 56th Biennial Dominion Convention, which took place in Sherbrooke, QC from September 8 to 11. The convention brings members together to discuss Veterans’ issues, reflect on achievements and set goals, and reunites members from across the country.

Our presentation gave an overview of who we are and what we do at Atlas and highlighted research on the well-being of aging Veterans. We also talked about some resources that could be relevant to ANAVETS members. We welcomed many members to the Atlas booth following the presentation and had the opportunity to send them back to their home units with resources they could distribute to others. It was a pleasure to connect with Veterans and Veteran Families and hear their experiences.

Thank you ANAVETS for the opportunity!

EVENTS AND TRAINING

January 23 – 24, 2025 — Veteran Family Summit

Join us for this free, virtual event created in collaboration with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veteran Families and the service providers that support them.

TRAINING FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS

Starting this winter! Group consultation in prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD (French)

There are spots still available for our group consultation in prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), offered in French. This training will now be open to all licensed/registered service providers working in mental health! The cost is covered for eligible service providers.

PE is an evidence-based therapy that is recommended as a first-line treatment for PTSD in international treatment guidelines. Training has shown to be more effective at improving competence and application of therapies when consultation is included as part of the training program.

SELF-PACED TRAINING

FEATURED RESOURCE

Peer support program directory

Having each other’s backs and supporting one another are often part and parcel of military and police service. That support isn’t just important on the job — having someone walk alongside you and share common experiences can also promote well-being and recovery from mental health challenges, as well as make it easier to adapt to life after service. This is where peer support can help.

Explore some of the peer support programs and services available to Veterans and Families across Canada with our interactive directory and map, which allows you to search by location, topic, format, cost and more. The data used to create this resource was collected by the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) and shared with the Atlas Institute.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

New research funding opportunities now available

We’ve launched new research funding opportunities in three critical areas designed to enhance understanding and support the mental health and well-being of Veterans and their Families. This initiative aligns with our continuing commitment to expanding knowledge and boosting research capabilities in the field of mental health, working directly with the community to identify areas of particular interest and opportunity.

This year, Atlas will be funding research on:

• The impact of Family involvement in Veteran care
• Experiences of single-parents in the Veteran community
• The mental health status of former RCMP members

Proposals will be accepted until December 9, 2024 at 12 p.m., Eastern time, with the anticipated notice of decision in January 2025. For more information about the funding program, visit our webpage or contact the Research Partnerships team at atlasresearch@theroyal.ca.

COMMEMORATIONS CALENDAR

View more commemorative dates

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