Sharing of military Veterans’ mental health data across Canada: A scoping review

LAY SUMMARY Information on Canadian military Veterans’ mental health is needed to develop and improve mental health services. It is not clear to what extent such information is available and connected across its sources. A comprehensive review of scientific and other authorized publications was conducted to identify information sources related to Canadian Veteran mental health, connections between them, and related policies or guidelines. Ten data sources related to military Veterans’ mental health in Canada were found, but no policies or guidelines specifically addressing information sharing across these data sets were discovered. Secure, Accessible, eFfective, and Efficient (SAFE) information sharing across these sources was implied but not confirmed. The authors recommend consideration be given to establishing a repository of relevant data sets and policies and guidelines for information sharing and standardization across all relevant data sets.

Characteristics of Canadian Veterans reimbursed for cannabis for medical purposes: Life After Service Survey 2016

LAY SUMMARY This research explored the demographic, military service, and health characteristics associated with cannabis for medical purposes (CMP) reimbursements among Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) clients and respondents of the Life After Service Survey 2016 (LASS). Of the initial number of indicators selected contained in LASS 2016 survey, some specific variables were significantly associated with CMP reimbursement, from which physical/mental health and well-being indicators, such as anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, bowel ulcer, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, needing help with tasks, psychological distress, and having three of more conditions of the PTSD diagnosis, were positively associated with CMP. Moreover, unemployment, having low income (< $5,000), a difficult adjustment, being very dissatisfied with life, having low social support, a weak community belonging, and reporting high stress also increased the odds of being reimbursed. These results will help to identify a preliminary profile of VAC clients with higher need for CMP reimbursement.

Correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder among Veterans in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

LAY SUMMARY Little is known about the mental health of Veterans as they get older. How does the mental health and aging process of Veterans compare to people who have not served in the military? The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is a long-term national study of the aging adult population in Canada. A total of 51,338 participants across Canada aged 45 to 85 years were recruited at the study baseline between 2011 and 2015. Of the CLSA participants, about 4,500 self-identified as Veterans, with military service dating back as early as 1941. The goal of this study was to describe the mental health, in particular posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), of Veterans in the CLSA at the study baseline and examine differences across Veteran sub-groups and compared to non-Veterans.

Making military and Veteran women (in)visible: The continuity of gendered experiences in military-to-civilian transition

LAY SUMMARY This study explores how gender and sex shape the military-to-civilian transition (MCT) for women. Thirty-three Canadian women Veterans were interviewed about their military service and post-military life. MCT research often emphasizes discontinuities between military and civilian life, but women’s accounts highlight continuities in gendered experiences. Military women are expected to fit the male norm and masculine ideal of the military member during service, but they are rarely recognized as Veterans after service. Women experience invisibility as military member and Veterans and simultaneously hypervisibility as (ex)military women who do not fit military or civilian gender norms. Gendered expectations of women as spouses and mothers exert an undue burden on them as serving members and as Veterans undergoing MCT. Women encounter care and support systems set up on the normative assumption of the military and Veteran man supported by a female spouse. The study findings point to a needed re-design of military and Veteran systems to remove sex and gender biases and better respond to the sex- and gender-specific MCT needs of women.

Socio-cultural dynamics in gender and military contexts: Seeking and understanding change

LAY SUMMARY Today, changing the culture of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is a high priority, so that all members feel respected and included and do not experience discrimination, harassment, or any form of sexual misconduct. This article looks back at the CAF experience with gender integration to see what it shows about what should be done today. Over 20 years ago, many believed the job was done, that the CAF had fully integrated women and welcomed all members, regardless of who they were. Women have served in the Canadian military for several decades; they make important contributions, and there are no formal limitations on how they contribute and what they can achieve. Although policies and practices have changed, too often, some women and men continue to experience discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault. Based on past experience, this article suggests that thinking about different ways of understanding culture in the CAF is important in paving the way for a more inclusive experience for all members.

A gender-based analysis of recruitment and retention in the Canadian Army Reserve

LAY SUMMARY In this qualitative study, 29 members of the Canadian Army Reserve were interviewed to investigate Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) recruitment and retention strategies. Studying member attitudes and participation in recruitment and retention led to original insights about the importance of community outreach, peer recruiting, and commitment on behalf of leadership when it comes to fostering a recruitment-focused culture. Participants pointed to camaraderie and the quality of training opportunities as significant considerations to improve retention, providing further validation to existing research on retention in reserve units. Using a gender-based lens, reservists were asked about the culture of the CAF, sexual misconduct, and other issues facing under-represented groups. Participants felt the military was doing well meeting recruiting targets and that representation and mentorship were important tools to encourage women and members of under-represented groups to join. The answers regarding sexual misconduct were extremely consistent: most were surprised when hearing Reserve Force statistics on sexual misconduct, and many displayed low awareness of how to report incidents. Nevertheless, participants thought their units were better than others when it came to equity, diversity, inclusion, and preventing sexual violence, signaling these topics could be further examined in the reserves.

Retrospective cohort study of outpatient mental health visits in children and youth in Canadian military families

LAY SUMMARY This study tried to answer the question “Do children and youth in military families have a greater risk of emotional and behavioural problems than children and youth in the general population?” The authors used routinely collected health data from children and youth in Canadian Armed Forces families who relocated to Ontario, matched to data from children and youth in non-military families. They compared outpatient mental health services use, such as physician visits, and the reasons for those visits, such as depression. They found that children and youth in military families were more likely to visit a physician for specific mental health diagnoses than children and youth in the general population. More programming and resources supporting the mental health and well-being of children and youth in military families may be needed.

Identifying psychological outcomes in families of Five Eyes alliance armed forces Veterans: A systematic review

LAY SUMMARY Military service can affect the psychological health and well-being of ex-service members and their families. Most research prioritizes active duty families or Veterans, with spouses/intimate partners and adult children of Veterans often overlooked. This study reviewed all previous research on the psychological health of Veteran families within the Five Eyes alliance countries of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It found spouses/intimate partners had higher rates of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to national rates and were more likely to feel distress when their Veteran partner had mental health issues. Adult children were at higher risk for anxiety, depression, alcohol/substance misuse, and PTSD compared to national rates. Four themes identified were: personal feelings and internal emotions, Veteran-oriented, help and support, and acting as a unit. Due to the scarce available research, further studies are needed to address psychological outcomes among military Veteran families.

‘Healthy Relationships’ campaign: Preventing and addressing family and gender-based violence

LAY SUMMARY Canadian military families face distinct challenges due to the military lifestyle, primarily due to relocation, absences and deployments, and risk of injury and death. Tied to these challenges is the intimate partner relationship and the ability of the family unit to thrive. To support families, Military Family Services (MFS) undertook a collaborative process to create a modernized campaign focused on healthy relationships for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, Veterans, and their families. The “Healthy Relationships” campaign is a unique social media campaign centred on positive behaviour change, inspiration, and sharing of real military families’ stories. The campaign sought to shift the narrative from previous anti-family-violence messaging to promoting positive, healthy, and equitable relationships. The campaign was successful in its rollout across bases and wings in Canada, Europe, and the United States.