The Athena project
Designing research in partnership with women Veterans
Led by the Applied Research team at the Atlas Institute, the Athena Project is an initiative dedicated to conducting responsive research and building connections in support of women Veterans’ well-being. Although many researchers have done work in this area, there is still a lot of evidence that needs to be generated so that women Veterans can receive the support and care they need to flourish and thrive.
In order to develop research projects that can begin to answer critical questions and generate critically needed evidence, we want to not just consult with women Veterans, but also collaborate with them to shape the research. This approach is informed by the principles of community-based and participatory action research.
The Athena Project Working Group is composed of women Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), each of whom brings her unique voice, knowledge, skills and expertise to this project and ensures that the research we are undertaking reflects the needs and priorities of women Veterans.
Through regular meetings and online collaboration, working group members are supporting all aspects of the research process, from the development and refinement of research questions to the identification and adaptation of study measures, to the development of recruitment strategies and materials.
Get involved
Contribute to the evidence about women Veterans’ mental health, health and well-being needs, inform recommendations for improving care in Canada and join a group of women Veterans passionate about making a difference!
Learn more and participate in our recruiting research studies listed below.
The study will examine access to health care during time in service, access to female-specific care and mental health outcomes (e.g., symptoms of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder) as well as the situational (e.g., organizational stressors, institutional betrayal) and behavioural (coping) factors that may influence that association. This is a cross-sectional, self-report, survey-based study with questions asking participants to reflect on experiences from service and experiences from their time as a Veteran.
As Veterans, women tend to experience more mental and physical health conditions like pain, nerve or stomach issues. They are more likely to be medically released and have difficulty with certain tasks like walking. They also tend to make less money and be out of the workforce. All of these experiences can affect their mental health and well-being.
The study will use a one-time survey to gather information from women Veterans. The survey will ask questions about different aspects of their mental health and well-being during transition. This includes questions on psychological aspects like how they adapt to stress, behaviours like alcohol or drug use, social aspects like if they are married, and broader issues like discrimination. The goal is to understand how these different aspects affect their mental health and well-being after service. The survey will also ask about their access to and use of services. The goal is to understand if certain services are linked to better mental health and well-being.
These findings can help create better programs, policies and services for women Veterans.
The roots of Athena
The Athena Project is an endeavour designed to develop and conduct research for women Veterans, with women Veterans. The Applied Research team at Atlas recognized that a strong and meaningful name to accompany this initiative was a way to pay homage to women Veterans in Canada. Athena, the Olympian goddess of wisdom and good counsel, war and the defence of towns emerged a symbol of the strength and leadership women have shown in their roles as military and RCMP service members.
Athena also holds significance in recent military history as Op Athena was a critical operation within the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (2003–2011). This mission integrated all elements of the military as well as diplomats, development workers, law enforcement, corrections officers and other civilians with valuable expertise to share with the Afghan government. During this time in Afghanistan, women accounted for almost 10% of deployed personnel and played important roles in policing, medicine, intelligence and more.
It was also during Op Athena that Captain Nichola Goddard was killed in combat duty. Captain Goddard was a combat officer and led fellow soldiers into combat. Captain Goddard’s death received significant coverage in English and French Canadian media, and mainstream outlets began to acknowledge women’s engagement in front-line roles and contributions to the country’s defence. This marked a significant turning point, which heightened public awareness of the expanding and pivotal roles women hold during service.
This legacy is a reminder not only of the strides that women have made in serving their country but also of the importance of comprehensive research that supports their unique health and well-being needs as Veterans of the CAF and RCMP.
Need More Information?
Please contact the Athena Project team for more details.
