Our Story
Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans serve selflessly in the face of adversity and danger. They give their country everything, fulfilling missions with grit, loyalty and determination.
The service they deserve
Canadians need to understand the physical, emotional and mental stressors that result from service. The onus of recovery should not fall on Veterans and their Families only. They have long advocated for access to safe, meaningful care and supports for their long-term health and well-being.
Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families exists because of this need for action. We work with Veterans, Families, service providers and researchers to bridge the divide between research and practice so Veterans and their Families can get the best possible mental health care and supports.
By Veterans and Families, for Veterans and Families
Veterans and their Families are tired and frustrated. They want more than the status quo. We acknowledge this truth.
Our research is rooted in the experiences of Veterans and Families. Through our studies, Reference Groups, Advisory Councils and other networks, the people we serve inform what research we undertake and the information we share.
Our identity
Established as the Centre of Excellence on PTSD and Related Mental Health Conditions through the Minister of Veterans Affairs’ 2015 mandate letter, we became the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families in 2022.
Our new name emphasizes our organization’s Veteran and Family-centric approach. “Atlas” embodies our main goal: To ensure that all CAF and RCMP Veterans and Families can navigate and have access to safe, meaningful benefits, resources and supports that protect dignity and identity, create foundations for hope, connection, community and improve health and well-being.
We have experienced immense growth in our network and research activities, but our focus on making the well-being of Veterans and Families a priority has remained the same. With their guidance, we have identified a four-pronged approach to inform the work we do.
“While we do not offer direct services, we identify the best mental health treatment approaches. Veterans and Families have dedicated their lives to serving Canada. Now, it’s our time to give back.”
Fardous Hosseiny, President and CEO, Atlas
OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE
The existing system for mental health care and support is complex. Veterans and their Families often face difficulties accessing services that meet their unique experiences and needs.
While advancements are being made, a large part of Veteran and Family mental health is still uncharted territory. In Canada and around the world, existing systems of care for Veterans and their Families do not adequately meet their needs.
To improve the system, we must work together. Together, we are Atlas.
Together, we can build a system on the following seven principles:
- Respect and dignity
- Engagement and involvement
- Equity of access
- Breadth of support
- High quality treatment and care
- Holistic outcomes
- Economic responsibility
The active involvement of Veterans, Families, healthcare providers, peer support organizations, intermediary organizations and policy makers, is crucial to the creation of a new integrated system. We outline the steps required to achieve this vision in our Conceptual Framework—developed in partnership with Phoenix Australia Centre for Posttraumatic Health.
Get to know how we work
You know our story, now learn about how we turn research into action.
