The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families is preparing to more formally enter into the public policy space to further the positive impact it can have on the mental health and well-being of Veterans and Families. In 2023, Atlas initiated three interrelated foundational public policy projects to start mapping out its role related to public policy influence, building on the public policy related criteria of the organization’s mandate:

1. A public policy scan of academic and grey literature specific to mental health and well-being policies and policy recommendations that impact Veterans and Families
2. An engagement process consisting of a series of conversations with stakeholders across Canada with similar mandates as intermediary organizations
3. The creation of an internal public policy framework that will guide Atlas staff on how public policy work will occur and where Atlas will position itself

Download the report summarizing our engagement with peer organizations.

How the engagement process was conducted

Over the course of three months in 2023, guided by a consultant, Atlas staff met with senior leaders from 14 organizations working in the health and mental health public policy space with varying focuses on Veteran and Family mental health.

More details on the methods for the engagement can be found in the report.

What’s inside?

The findings from the engagement process are grouped into three sections:

• Reflections on the engagement process
• Characteristics of effective public policy work — an overview of five practices that make for effective public policy work
• Priority areas in the Veteran and Family public policy space — a summary of five priority areas for public policy

Why is this report important?

Atlas will be analyzing the findings from this report and the results of the policy scan to guide the development of an internal policy framework. This framework will guide Atlas staff on public policy-related considerations. With the three interrelated foundational projects completed, Atlas aims to incorporate the insights provided into its future activities related to public policy.

We hope that the result of this report will also be leveraged by other organizations working in this space.