KU DOS! A N ETWORK OF SUP P ORT F O R CANA DI A N M ILITA RY F A M ILIES

Transcription

1 KU DOS! A N ETWORK OF SUP P ORT F O R CANA DI A N M ILITA RY F A M ILIES ISSUE 3 JULY IN THIS ISSUE INTRODUCTION EMPLOYMENT 3 10 EMPLOYMENT HELP FOR MILITARY SPOUSES ON THE HORIZON 12 MFS AND MFRCS HELP EQUIP FAMILIES FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMMUNITIES AT THE HEART OF SUPPORTING MODERN MILITARY FAMILIES COMMUNITY 4 BUILDING COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION IN THE NAME OF MILITARY FAMILIES 6 CANEX FOSTERS PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS CANADA 7 FREE FRENCH HOMEWORK HELP? MERCI! AWARENESS 8 WILLIS COLLEGE IS CELEBRATING SUCCESS BY SUPPORTING 15 MILITARY FAMILIES FIND A VOICE AT THE CANADIAN AUTISM LEADERSHIP SUMMIT MENTAL HEALTH 16 MFS STRENGTHENS NATIONAL NETWORK OF FAMILY SUPPORT 9 17 OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH AND NATIONAL PARTNERS RELEASE THE MENTAL HEALTH CAREGIVER GUIDE FOR CAREGIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS EDMONTON MFRC CALLED UPON FOR EXPERTISE Join the network supporting military families. RESEARCH 13 RESEARCH-IN-ACTION WITHIN THE CIMVHR NETWORK

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3 By the time many of you will be reading this, I will have returned to Military Family Services after completing a two month training period at the Canadian Forces College (CFC) in Toronto. For those who are not familiar with CFC, the College serves as a cornerstone in the development of the Canadian Forces senior officer cadre in the Canadian Armed Forces. Significant periods of my training curricula during this time were devoted to examining with my peers the potential and future operational commitments of our nation s contemporary military While Canada has recently witnessed a pause in large-scale operational commitments, senior leaders recognize that such a protracted period could be short-lived given the current global international context. To this end, I return from this study period even more convinced on the requirement for Military Family Services to mobilize, deploy and sustain a network of support required to contribute to the well-being of military members and their families. I am encouraged by this third edition of Kudos which profiles many great examples of organizations working collaboratively to enact positive action for military families in Canada. In this edition you can read about the second annual Canadian Military and Veteran Family Leadership Circle (CMVFLC) at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on January 29, 2016 to build community knowledge around military and Veteran families. This event brought together over 40 military and Veteran leaders and delegates from business, community, government and the Canadian Armed Forces. My staff has also worked to profile the launch of the Military Employment Transition Spouse Program (METSpouse) - a project undertaken in partnership by Canada Company and Military Family Services (MFS) to establish a national employer network to complement local and regional employment services available to military families through Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs). Readers can also learn about Voilà Learning, a national organization offering free online homework help to military children enrolled in French immersion, or children with questions about their French homework. In closing, I return to MFS steadfast in my belief that community partnerships are critical to supporting military families by enabling the strong formal and informal networks fundamental for promoting and sustaining military family health, well-being and resilience. I wish you all a restful summer and hope you enjoy reading about the many community engagement activities aimed at developing, implementing and communicating public involvement initiatives in support of military families. INTRODUCTION COMMUNITIES AT THE HEART OF SUPPORTING MODERN MILITARY FAMILIES Colonel Dan Harris Director Military Family Services KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

4 COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION IN THE NAME OF MILITARY FAMILIES Over 40 military and Veteran leaders and delegates from business, community, government and the Canadian Armed Forces gathered at the second annual Canadian Military and Veteran Families Leadership Circle (CMVFLC) at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on January 29, 2016 to build community knowledge around military and Veteran families. The event was co-hosted by Canadian Armed Forces Commander of Military Personnel Command, Lieutenant-General Christine Whitecross, and Vanier Institute of the Family Board Chair, Victor Duret. Organizations in attendance had the opportunity to discuss their current involvement with military families as well as future collaborations in an effort to address the continuing needs of military members and their families. The importance of the CMVFLC was captured in a comment by LGen Whitecross, Canadian military families contribute so much to the operational effectiveness of the Canadian Armed Forces that it is absolutely essential that we work with Canadian decision-makers and other like-minded organizations to join forces with us for greater effect in support of military families. In many ways, supporting our troops begins with supporting their families. Moving forward, the CMVFLC will continue to foster and strengthen relationships, to facilitate partnerships and collaborations, and to spark innovation and creativity in the design and delivery of programs and services. A compendium of leading and promising practices of partnerships and collaborations supporting military and Veteran families has been compiled and has been made available by the Vanier Institute of the Family at the following link: 4 KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

5 COMMUNITY CHILDREN AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH Autism Speaks Canada Canadian Child Care Federation Dr. Jay Children s Grief Centre Voilà Learning Canadian Association for Marriage & Family Therapy Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Commission of Canada Mood Disorders Society of Canada Phoenix Centre for Children & Families The Royal - Mental Health Care and Research COMMUNICATION Canadian Military Family Magazine Environics Communications GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS Military Personnel Command Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services RCAF Honorary Colonels Royal Canadian Mounted Police EMPLOYMENT Accenture Canada Company The Canadian Education & Research Institute for Counselling HEALTH CARE Calian Group Ltd. Canadian Medical Association Canadian Pediatric Society Ottawa Public Health MILITARY SUPPORT True Patriot Love Caregivers` Brigade Military Family Resources Centres Invictus Games RESEARCH Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research Memorial University University of Western Ontario VETERANS The Royal Canadian Legion RCMP Veteran`s Association Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada Veterans Affairs Canada Veterans Transition Network KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

6 COMMUNITY CANEX FOSTERS PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS CANADA A division of CF Morale & Welfare Services Une division des Services de bien-être et moral des FC Working with Military Family Resource Centres in support of military families is something CANEX does very well. Central to their customer service led philosophies CANEX believes in building relationships with its customers and community partners across Canada and beyond. On a national level CANEX, a division of Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, regularly partners with Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) to support military families. One of these collaborative initiatives that has proven incredibly successful is the national CANEX Volunteer Recognition Program (VOREP), whereby CANEX commits $100K annually. Volunteers are the backbone of the community development model that all MFRCs adhere to. MFRCs strive to recognize the hard work and dedication of their community volunteers in unique ways, including dinners, variety shows and award ceremonies to name but a few. The CANEX VOREP provides each participating MFRC with the additional assistance required to deliver exceptional recognition activities in many communities across the country. VOREP not only provides an opportunity for communities to acknowledge volunteers for the important work they do, it also builds strong relationships between MFRCs, Personnel Support Programs (PSP) and CANEX, promoting a collaborative spirit, said Larry Mohr, Senior Vice President, Commercial Services, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services. CANEX has always been a great supporter of MFRCs on a local level as well. In the National Capital Region (NCR), after supporting many events financially over the years, CANEX wanted to become even more closely involved with the MFRC- NCR military community. Earlier this spring they partnered with the MFRC-NCR to host an Easter Egg-stravaganza. This opportunity was warmly welcomed by the MFRC-NCR and was an ideal way to strengthen another local partnership. Easter prize packages provided by CANEX were filled with fun games and treats for all ages. Further, a unique part of the day was a Golden Egg draw; the Easter Bunny gave away three large prizes, for three age categories, again, provided by CANEX. These big-ticket prizes were very well received by the NCR military community. 6 KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

7 COMMUNITY FREE FRENCH HOMEWORK HELP? MERCI! Voilà Learning, with the support of Military Family Services (MFS), is offering free online homework help to military children enrolled in French immersion, or children with questions about their French homework. If you want your children to do well in French class, yet don t speak the language yourself, this free homework help may be just what you are looking for, said Hosni Zaouali, tutor and Director of Strategy and Communications for Voilà Learning. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Ombudsman Report released in 2013 found that, Language plays an adverse role for some families relocating to regions where they are not fluent in the predominant language. While CAF members are normally sufficiently bilingual before they are considered for such a move, family members often are not. This makes it very difficult for some to function successfully in the new location. The Ombudsman s report also confirmed that relocation to an environment with a non-fluent predominant second language is a dissatisfying issue among military families. In response to this challenge MFS began working with other organizations and enterprises to increase accessibility to language learning services and training for military families. One such partnership with Voilà Learning aims to assist military children in their development of French language skills. As an expansion of Voilà Learning s existing services they have provided military children with access to free online homework help in French via the their Virtual Immersion Campus. Military families are often separated due to operational requirements, leaving one parent at home to help the children with their French immersion homework. If that parent doesn t speak French the children are left to figure it out for themselves. They may fall behind very quickly, according to Chad Phinney, Community Development, Military Family Services. The virtual program also offers a continuity of service as families relocate from one posting to another. The homework help is available to children of military families 5 to 18 years of age on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to11 p.m. EST., and support is available in a variety of subjects. To view a video detailing how the services work, please visit Voilà Learning: military-family-services/. KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

8 COMMUNITY WILLIS COLLEGE IS CELEBRATING SUCCESS BY SUPPORTING In celebration of their 150th Anniversary, Willis College will be awarding $150,000 in scholarships to Canadian military spouses over the next six years. Scholarship recipients will have an opportunity to pursue training in the fields of business, health care or technology at any of the College s three locations: Ottawa, Smiths Falls and Arnprior. Rima Aristocrat, President and CEO of Willis College, made the announcement last month at Garrison Petawawa. Military spouses are the strength behind the uniform and our heroes on the home front. It is important that they have an opportunity to further their professional development and pursue their career dreams. This scholarship will open doors for many spouses who have been unable to pursue their passions because of financial barriers, says Claudia Beswick, Executive Director of the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre. By applying for this scholarship, they have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. From left to right there is: Chief Warrant Officer Bill Richards, Garrison Sergeant Major; Colonel Marc Gagné, Commander, Garrison Petawawa; Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-NipissingPembroke; Rima Aristocrat, President and CEO of Willis College; Claudia Beswick, Executive Director, PMFRC; and Selina Robb, Board Chair, PMFRC. 8 KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

9 MENTAL HEALTH EDMONTON MFRC CALLED UPON FOR EXPERTISE The Edmonton Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) mental health team recently offered mental health training to police officers attending the Alberta Association of Community Peace Officer annual retreat in Jasper National Park. The psychoeducation session focused on the mental health consequences of critical incident stress within the first responder community. The Association invited the MFRC team because they wanted to tap into the existing knowledge and programs offered to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families. The current priority of the Edmonton MFRC mental health team is to work alongside CAF members and their families to promote mental health, in support of a healthy military community. Since military members can be at risk for developing mental health issues such as Operational Stress Injuries due to the nature of their job, it is important to offer early intervention and appropriate psychoeducational programs to address mental health injuries. The training piece delivered to the officers, Mental Health is Everyone s Business Learn How to Make it Yours, concentrated on the importance of recognizing the warrior mindset that exists within police and military cultures. The warrior mindset requires peace officers to develop mental toughness, where they feel compelled to shrug off injury or illness and limit emotions to allow for efficient decision making during stressful situations. This mindset has tremendous value in creating efficient and effective organizations; however, it can sabotage mental wellness if not recognized. Participants then began to discuss ways to address these issues within their policing support networks. Talking about mental health and mental illness helps to reduce the stigma and address the serious barriers to treatment and acceptance. Over 100 peace officers attended this event. It is encouraging to think we are leaders in this field and that others would follow us in addressing the unique mental health needs of first responders, said Roza Parlin, Executive Director at the Edmonton MFRC. Throughout the training the Edmonton MFRC team encouraged participants to have open and honest conversations about the mental fatigue that comes with the first responder role. Additionally, the trainers identified the unique stressors Peace Officers cope with and the impact on their psychological health; mental health and illness as a continuum; ways to build resilience as a first responder and within a family and the power of peer support and mental health. Edmonton Military Family Resource Centre staff Jerris Popik and Helena Gillespie at the Alberta Association of Community Peace Officer annual retreat. KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

10 EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT HELP FOR MILITARY SPOUSES ON THE HORIZON Despite their overall high level of education, occupation diversification and extreme resilience, military spouses continually struggle with underemployment and unemployment. The good news is that in April 2016 job-seeking military spouses gained access to a new resource. The Military Employment Transition Spouse Program (METSpouse) is a 12 month pilot project undertaken in partnership by Canada Company, Military Family Services (MFS) and seven Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) across Canada. The seven participating MFRCs that will kick off the METSpouse pilot and will handle the registration process are located in Halifax, NS; Montreal, QC; Valcartier, QC; National Capital Region, ON; Toronto, ON; Winnipeg and MB Shilo, MB. The employment challenges military spouses face comes as a direct result of the unique stressors inherent within the military family life. Military families regularly move and are separated, impactingtheir employment options, said Todd Stride, Senior Manager Community Development, Military Family Services. The 2013 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Ombudsman Report recommended that MFS establish a national employer network to complement local and regional employment services available to military families through Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs). The Chief of the Defence Staff General Vance and the President of Canada Company, Angela Mondou attend the METSpouse launch event held at the MFRC NCR. 10 KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

11 EMPLOYMENT Our steering committee felt we could leverage the success of an already existing employment program run for CAF members, reservists and veterans. With some adjustments, we can now offer the same benefits to military spouses, said Stride. Canada Company s existing Military Transition Employment Program (MET) was developed to assist CAF members, reservists and veterans who are seeking to find jobs in the civilian workforce. By registering with MET, releasing members and veterans gain access to online job search and career planning tools and the company profiles of Military Friendly Employer Partners. The company profiles provide a link to the employer s hiring website, where participants can browse available positions and apply. Participants also receive a list of immediately available positions with partnering employers on a biweekly basis. The METSpouse program will essentially exist under the same model as the current MET program. Additional employer awareness materials will be added to reflect the distinctive employment realities faced by military spouses including resumes that reflect frequent career changes or gaps in employment due to relocation. Different from the MET program, METSpouse employer partners are asked to commit to exploring employment mobility options when a spouse is relocated. Created in 2006, Canada Company is a federally registered charity which brings community leaders from across Canada together to support Canadian soldiers in the work that they do at home and abroad. The organization is apolitical and is an advocate for Canadians who serve, or wish to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces, regular and reserve and their families, ensuring they receive the widest possible support, recognition and care. To register or learn more about the METSpouse and MET programs, please visit KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

12 EMPLOYMENT MFS AND MFRCS HELP EQUIP FAMILIES FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP After participating in the Telfer Entrepreneurship Program for Military Families in February and March of this year over 130 military families walked away equipped with the knowledge and inspiration required to take the leap into the world of self-employment Military Family Services (MFS) and Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) in Greenwood, Petawawa, Borden, Edmonton, Bagotville and Shilo joined forces to implement this first-time entrepreneurship program designed specifically for the military family community. The program was developed in response to the recommendation of the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman to develop tangible training, tools and financial support to promote and enable entrepreneurship among military families. The University of Ottawa Telfer School of Management was selected through a tendering process to design and facilitate the program. Telfer worked collaboratively with MFS and the MFRCs to plan, promote and execute six interactive two-day training sessions. During these fast-paced, hands-on workshops, participants learned about entrepreneurship in a productive and supported environment. More specifically, participants worked in small groups on case studies, received one-on-one assistance from experienced entrepreneurs and had the opportunity to practice creating a website and purchase online advertisements for their new ventures. The program was overwhelmingly well received and appreciated by participants receiving an average satisfaction rating of 94%. We are incredibly satisfied with the success of this program, which was undoubtedly confirmed by participant feedback and overall participation numbers. It is important to note that the program would not have been possible without the exceptional responsiveness and support of participating MFRCs. The program was truly the result of great teamwork and partnership, said Katie Ochin, Employment and Entrepreneurship Program Manager, Military Family Services. For more information on the Telfer Entrepreneurship Program for Military Families, please visit 12 KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

13 RESEARCH RESEARCH-IN-ACTION WITHIN THE CIMVHR NETWORK The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) is an innovative organization that engages existing academic research resources to help develop new research and military, Veteran and family researcher capacity. Since its inception in 2010, the area of family research at CIMVHR s annual Military and Veteran Health Research Forum has grown from just a few to 26 presentations in Working closing with organizations such as Military Family Services and the Vanier Institute of the Family, CIMVHR s current military and Veteran family initiatives target engagement of both researchers and professional association groups, including the Canadian College of Family Physicians, Canadian Pediatric Society, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy and the Ontario Society for Occupational Therapists. Some active family research projects are described below. QUEEN S UNIVERSITY Currently, Dr. Heidi Cramm is engaged in a variety of research projects that focus on military and Veteran family health. Her student, Kristin Ostler, just finished her Master s thesis research, The Impact of Geographic Mobility on Canadian Military Families and their Children s Access to Special Education Services. Also, soon to close is the study Navigating systems and supports for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The experiences of military families in the context of mandatory relocation, which Dr. Cramm and developmental pediatrician Dr. Garth Smith are running. Building on a previous study that reviewed mostly American research exploring potential impacts that military lifestyle has on children s mental health, Dr. Cramm, along with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Sarosh Khalid-Khan, is leading the 3-year project, Targeting the Mental Health of Canadian Children Growing up in Military Families. Funded by the Health Research Foundation, the first phase involves in-depth qualitative interviews with CAF families and healthcare providers. Linna Tam-Seto, a PhD candidate under the supervision of Dr. Cramm, is developing a military and Veteran family health cultural competency model for health care providers. The first phase of the cultural competency research project is underway, with in-depth interviews of military families describing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that health care providers need to be able to work effectively with military and Veteran families. A survey will follow the interview phase to validate those findings. Ultimately, this work will develop a tool to support professional development of Canadian healthcare providers. To contact Linna, her at linna.tam-seto@queensu.ca. KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

14 Alyson Mahar, a PhD candidate in the Department of Public Health Sciences, is leading a province-wide study on the health of Canadian military families posted to Ontario. This study will describe how military families access and use primary and specialist healthcare (e.g., visits to family doctors, pediatricians, other specialists), and compare patterns in military families with the civilian population. Additional research describing the occurrence and treatment of common physical and mental disorders is ongoing. Building on this Ontario data, the study will form the basis for work with other provinces and territories, and have a positive impact on the development of policy and programming to support military family members in the future. To reach Alyson, her at alysonlmahar@gmail.com. MOUNT SAINT VINCENT UNIVERSITY Dr. Deborah Norris is an Associate Professor of the Department within the Department of Family Studies and Gerontology at Mount Saint Vincent University. Previous research has focused on the everyday lives of female military partners experiencing the cycle of deployment, secondary trauma in military families, work-life balance in families where mothers are serving members, single parents serving in the military, and the impact of operational stress injuries on the mental health and well-being of families of Veterans. Her current research focuses on models of military family resilience and post-traumatic growth; contact her at Deborah.Norris@ MSVU.Ca. UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY The Strengths in Military Families Project at the University of Calgary seeks to identify the child/adolescent- and parent-level protective factors within military families that allow for successful adjustment and adaptation to the unique challenges of military life. Dr. Kelly Dean Schwartz and his doctoral student Andrea Stelnicki have a few smaller studies looking at the well-being of children with parents who have Operational Stress Injuries, the relationship between school engagement and youth wellbeing, and the presence of developmental assets (e.g., personal and external resources) to lessen the potential risks associated with being part of a military family. To find out more, please contact them at parents@ucalgary.ca. RESEARCH For more information on military and Veteran family research projects that are currently underway within the CIMVHR network, please contact Dr. Heidi Cramm, Head of Knowledge Translation and lead researcher for military and Veteran family health. She can be reached via at heidi.cramm@queensu.ca, through or by phone at KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

15 AWARENESS MILITARY FAMILIES FIND A VOICE AT THE CANADIAN AUTISM LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Participants at the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit Presentation recently held in Ottawa April 18 & 19, 2016, recently received a valuable information session about the unique lifestyle challenges inherent with the military family lifestyle. This plenary session delivered by Military Family Services worked to raise awareness and understanding among special needs professionals (physicians, pediatricians, developmental services workers, social workers, educators, etc.) about the unique stressors inherent with the military lifestyle, and how communities can potentially make subtle modifications to key elements of their programs and services to better address the special needs of CAF families. The presentation was one concrete measure by both Autism Speaks Canada and the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA) to increase knowledge and awareness among community partners about the military family constituency. Autism Speaks Canada is committed to supporting research and services across the country; raising public awareness to encourage inclusion; and collaborating with other organizations to speak alongside the autism community. CASDA is a coalition of organizations and individuals developing a comprehensive National ASD Framework. It is committed to ensuring the implementation of a comprehensive National ASD Strategy that addresses critical gaps in funding and policies, which are preventing individuals with ASD and their families from exercising their equal rights as Canadians. Click the following link to learn about one family that was profiled at this event: KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

16 AWARENESS MFS STRENGTHENS NATIONAL NETWORK OF FAMILY SUPPORT In an effort to bolster support of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) families Todd Stride and Stacey Bain from Military Family Services (MFS) recently spoke at the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT) 2016 Spring Conference at St. Paul s University, Ottawa. The objective of the one-hour plenary session was to increase awareness and knowledge of the unique lifestyle characteristics of Canadian military families. In their address to the marriage and family therapists Stride and Bain focused specifically on the potential mental health challenges even the most resilient military couples and families may face. The session also provided those in attendance with information about existing MFS national programs and services supporting military families. We eagerly accept invitations to educate organizations about separation, mobility and risk the three unique characteristics of military families. At MFS we work diligently to foster these national partnerships in an effort to strengthen networks of support for military families across the country, said Stride. The Department of National Defense and Veterans Affairs Canada recognized registered marriage and family therapists as eligible service providers for Veterans, active military personnel and their families in Representing marriage and family therapists across Canada, CAMFT is a not-for-profit association. As part of the Military and Veteran Leadership Circle, CAMFT strives to ensure their members understand the CAF lifestyle so they may effectively provide preventative and early treatment to military couples and families experiencing conflict. Andrew Sofin, President of CAMFT remarked, It was invaluable having MFS participate at our national conference in Ottawa. Their presentation showed the breadth of innovative services that MFS offers and helped our members better understand the specific challenges and needs of military families. The CAMFT is committed to collaborating with MFS to fulfill the shared vision of supporting the well-being of Canadian military personnel, veterans and their families. 16 KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY

17 AWARENESS OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH AND NATIONAL PARTNERS RELEASE THE MENTAL HEALTH CAREGIVER GUIDE FOR CAREGIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS Mayor Jim Watson, Councillor Shad Qadri, Chair of the Ottawa Board of Health, Dr. Isra Levy, Medical Officer of Health, together with the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Canadian Public Health Association, Military Family Services, and the Mental Illness Caregivers Association (MICA) released The Mental Health Caregiver Guide. The Guide is an important new national resource to support caregivers of people of all ages who are living with mental illness, or experiencing mental health challenges. The Guide is accompanied by a comprehensive Resource Guide: Ottawa Area, profiling social service resources located in the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) for both caregivers and those living with mental illness. The release of the Guide coincides with Mental Health Week May 2 to 8, an annual health promotion week which presents an opportunity to recognize the strong commitment and appreciation for caregivers and those they care for. We thank the City of Ottawa for making a concentrated effort to ensure that programs and services specific to military families have been included in their comprehensive mental health resource guide for the citizens of Ottawa. This is one more resource to ensure that military families are aware of the mental health resources available to them. The information contained in the guide is evidence-informed by trusted mental health providers including nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, caregivers, and individuals with lived and living experience. The Guide presents an innovative way to provide caregivers with helpful tips, tools, and information about the things that you can do to complement a treatment plan or promote recovery, said Mayor Jim Watson. With over half a million Canadians acting as caregivers to people living with mental health problems or illnesses, it s clear that a resource like this would benefit caregivers not only in Ottawa, but across the country. The development of this resource to support caregivers can directly benefit all families living with a mental illness or injury, including military families, says Lieutenant-Colonel Jeanette Bishop, Acting Director of Military Family Services. KUDOS! ISSUE 3 JULY