Media
Canadian Families
â„¢
A Perspective on
leadership and mental health:
The importance of understanding
(Pages 1 & 2)
Mental Health and the importance of
Family Support
(Pages 4 & 5)
Mental Health and the importance of inclusion
(Page 4)
Strength Behind the Uniform
(Pages 1 & 2)
Mental Health and the Power of Words
(Pages 1 & 2)
Ignorance and Mental Health:
The importance of Understanding
(Page 6)
Support and the Canadian Armed Forces
(Pages 1 & 2)
Photo c/o
Vanier Institute for Families
January 2015
Inaugural Meeting of the Canadian Military and Veteran Family Leadership Circle
To increase the national understanding of military and veteran families and their unique experiences, expectations and perspectives, the Vanier Institute of the Family have partnered with the Canadian Armed Forces. The goal is to mobilize knowledge and build awareness, capacity, competency and community to ensure military and veteran families have equitable access to the services and programs they need to thrive in their communities.
There is a great deal of work being done across the country, and we are now looking to build on these efforts, and a Director for the Caregivers' Brigadeâ„¢ was pleased to be included in such a wonderous initiative. At the inaugural meeting of the Canadian Military and Veteran Family Leadership Circle, we focused our conversations on the importance of cooperation, collaboration and partnerships between government departments, researchers, community services and programs as a means of supporting military and veteran families across the country.
March 2015
A special Thank You to the Canadian Military Family Magazine for recognition of our efforts and introducing our Director for Serving Families and The Caregivers' Brigade to the community.
May 7th and 8th, 2015
Our Director for Veteran Families was pleased to be invited as a stakeholder to a meeting in Ottawa by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The session was designed as an inaugural launch meeting to develop the customization of Mental Health First Aid for Veterans, Families & Caregivers.
We are very pleased with this initiative, and were honoured to be included as the process evolves. Thank you to our Director as she represented our group and the many Caregivers across Canada.
Photo c/o CMHC
May 29, 2015
Our Director for Veteran Families was honoured to be invited to speak to a delegation of Physicians about her personal family experiences with PTSD. We thank the Academy of Medicine, Ottawa for placing importance on such an important topic.
June 22, 2015
Our Director of Community Education was pleased to meet and welcome Trevor Petersen in Kingston. Trevor is a strong advocate for PTSD awareness who greatly believes in the power of physical activity through the recovery process. Paddling with PTSD 2015 adventure began on June 13th in Toronto and ended in Ottawa on July 6th. We will be watching for updates on upcoming projects from Trevor.
July 1, 2015
During Canada Day celebrations in Wellington, ON, our Director of Community Education had the opportunity to meet Renée Mair from Many to One PTSD Support Foundation. This organization has a mandate to build a free online PTSD Learning Management System which will become another great resource to many programs throughout North America. We look forward to continuing to work with their team and assisting in their goal.
October 22, 2015
Our Director for Serving Families was one of three recipients of the Liz Hoffman Memorial Commendation for 2015. This photo includes (left to right) Gary Walbourne (DND Ombudsman), Paula Ramsay, Cpl. Fred Smith (retired), Dr. Deborah Elliott, Dr. Andrea Hoffman, Bill Jones (Senior Associate Deputy Minister National Defence, L-Gen Guy Thibault (VCDS).
(click photo for details about recipients)
November 10, 2015
Our Director for Veteran Families was invited by Daytime Ottawa to speak about her personal experiences and introduce The Caregivers' Brigade. We thank co-hosts Catherine Marion and Jamie Rae Gomes for their kindness and interest in accessibility of resources to families who have experienced a physical or mental trauma due to service to our Country.
(Rogers customers may access video)
Retrieved from http://rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=12&rid=4&sid=68
January 29, 2016
Our Director for Serving Families was pleased to be included in the second annual meeting of the Military and Veteran Family Leadership Circle with over 40 representatives from organizations supporting CAF families. We thank Vanier Institute for Families and DND for inviting us and welcoming our participation.
Photo c/o Vanier Institute for Families
May 9 & 10, 2016
Our Director of Community Education and Director for Serving Families were thankful to be invited to attend the #VACSummit in Ottawa to represent the Caregivers' Brigade. Minister of Veterans Affairs Kent Hehr and his staff made our visit and inclusion memorable.
September 17, 2016
Our Director of Community Education was present at the Veteran Family Program Information Fair. Many new connections were made and information shared. Thank you to Trenton MFRC for including the Caregivers' Brigade in this important event.
January 17, 2017
We wish to thank PEI-MFRC, True Patriot Love, and Bell Let's Talk for including the Caregivers' Brigade in Operation Care for the Caregiver. Understanding the importance of self-care in our daily lives is greatly valuable. Video credit to MFRC-PEI Virtual Program
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January 23, 2017
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Our Director for Serving Families was pleased to be invited for the 3rd year to the annual meeting of the Military and Veteran Family Leadership Circle in Ottawa. Photo credit to Vanier Institute of the Family. Photo is linked to a press release offering details about the meeting.
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April 9, 2018
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The Directors of the Caregivers' Brigade wish to thank the National Association of Federal Retirees for inviting us to their Veterans Summit in Ottawa. The theme was Listening to Veterans: Outreach Report. This full-day event was an opportunity to discuss numerous issues facing Veterans and their families and collaborating with others toward solution.
May 23, 2018
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A special thanks to MPs Gord Johns and Brigitte Sansoucy for inviting the Caregivers' Brigade to speak with them on Parliament Hill. Our main topic of conversation was the newly introduced Caregiver Recognition Benefit and how the eligibility criteria might be improved to be more inclusive. We look forward to future collaboration.
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January 28, 2021
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Sincere thanks to MP Cathay Wagantall for inviting the Caregivers' Brigade to an online Town Hall meeting to discuss issues being faced by Veterans and their families. We hope to see improvements to policies, programs and services for all who need help navigating the system and getting aids through their difficulties.
March 8, 2021
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Thank you to the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs for inviting the Caregivers' Brigade to participate in a study on Veterans and their caregivers. This is an important step forward in changing policy to recognize the essential role caregivers play in the health and wellbeing of the Veteran Community.
