In this edition
- Programs and services
- Mental health supports are available
- LifeSpeak tips: the holiday season and loneliness
- Veteran stories
- He proudly served—and still protects
- Commemoration
- Leadership, heroism and self-sacrifice
- The Christmas truce of 1914
- Commemoration calendar
- Engagement
- Participants needed for research study at McMaster University
- Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation
- Veteran family virtual summit 27–28 January 2023
- Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund
- Canadian organizations help Veterans with support from the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund
- Season’s greetings from VAC
Programs and services
Mental health supports are available
For many Canadians, taking care of mental health can be challenging—especially during the holiday season. If this describes you, you should know that you are not alone.
You should also know that mental health services are available to Canada’s Veterans, retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) members, their families and their caregivers.
VAC offers a number of supports, including mental health benefits, counselling services, coverage for medical costs, and rehabilitation. Also, the VAC Assistance Services Line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and you don’t have to be a client to call. Visit our Mental health and wellness webpage for more information.
LifeSpeak tips: the holiday season and loneliness
While the holiday season is often seen as a time of togetherness and joy, it can also be a time when many feel isolated and lonely. For many, it can lead to increased stress that affects their mental health.
Everyone feels lonely sometimes. You may experience loneliness if you live alone or have limited social interactions. You may also experience loneliness while living with other people if you feel disconnected or misunderstood.
Constant holiday reminders can trigger or heighten these emotions, making it especially challenging to cope with loneliness during this season. LifeSpeak has some expert advice on how to manage these challenges:
- What is loneliness?
- How to make connections and reduce loneliness
- Living with loneliness
- 10-min Guided Meditation: Bringing on Holiday Cheer: A Breathing Exercise to Help Manage Holiday Stress
- Enjoying the Holiday Season on Your Own
Log in to LifeSpeak from any computer or mobile device (use Access ID: canada).
If you need psychological support, contact the VAC Assistance Service at 1-800-268-7708 or use the chat service (password: canada). For persons who are hearing impaired: TTY 1-800-567-5803. The VAC Assistance Service is available by telephone 24 hours a day / 365 days a year anywhere in Canada.
Veteran stories
He proudly served—and still protects
After retiring from a 36-year military career, working with the Corps of Commissionaires and beating cancer, Lt. Colonel (Ret’d) James Ostler is ready to slow things down—to a turtle’s pace.
Well, maybe not that slow. The 61-year-old still runs about 20 kilometers a week and hits the pavement every weekend with the “Sunday morning Champs” running club. The Army Veteran is also the Nest Box Protection Coordinator with the conservation organization “Turtles Kingston.” The group makes and sells boxes covered with wire mesh that protect the delicate nests of Ontario’s eight at risk turtle species from predators. With the support of Veterans Affairs Canada’s Education and Training Benefit, he plans to go back to the Royal Military College to study Environmental Science, and specialize in wildlife conservation and sustainability—specifically to learn more about the turtles he’s been volunteering his time to protect.
Do you have a story to share about experience in the Canadian Armed Forces? Tell us about it by email.
Commemoration
Leadership, heroism and self-sacrifice
During the Second World War, Canadian soldiers were active not only in Europe, but also in the Far East. In 1941, the British, hoping to deter hostile action by Japan, decided to reinforce their outpost in Hong Kong.
Canada sent a force of more than 1,900 people. They were the first Canadians to see combat during the Second World War.
John Robert Osborn was one of them.
On 19 December 1941, when Japanese forces attacked Mount Butler, south of the city of Hong Kong, Osborn showed his true colours.
As grenades flew toward the Canadian position amid a hail of gunfire, Osborn picked them up and threw them back at the enemy. Unfortunately, one landed where it was impossible to pick it up. After shouting a warning to his comrades, Osborn threw himself on the grenade. It exploded, killing him instantly. His self-sacrifice undoubtedly saved the lives of many others.
Osborn’s courageous act did not become known until after the war had ended. In 1946, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, in recognition of his bravery in the Battle of Hong Kong.
The Christmas truce of 1914
In December 1914, something incredible happened on the Western Front of the First World War. In the midst of brutal fighting, Christmas spirit came to the front lines.
After more than four months of brutal trench warfare, soldiers were dreading being away from their families during the holidays.
Then, on December 24, soldiers from both sides put down their weapons and stepped out of their trenches. They met in no man's land and exchanged gifts, took photographs and some even played impromptu games of soccer.
For a short time, there was peace.
More than 100 years later, the story of the Christmas truce lives on in our hearts and memories.
Happy holidays!
Commemoration calendar
- December 5:
- Canadian Armed Forces members first arrive in Afghanistan (2001)
- December 6:
- 105th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion, (1917)
- December 8:
- Beginning of the Defence of Hong Kong, 1941
- January 4:
- Beginning of the Great Ice Storm in parts of Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick, 1998
- January 8:
- Beginning of Operation RECUPERATION, the CAF assistance mission after the Great Ice Storm, 1998
- January 16-17:
- Coalition forces begin offensive air operations during the Gulf War, 1991
Engagement
Participants needed for research study at McMaster University
Researchers at McMaster University are seeking Regular Force Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces who identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community to participate in an important study. There is no restriction on when individuals served.
In the study, Exploring the experiences of 2SLGBTQ2I+ defence members who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces, Dr. Margaret McKinnon and Dr. Linna Tam-Seto from McMaster University seek to better understand the experiences of 2SLGBTQI+ military Veterans during their service in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Veterans who identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and/or a sexual and/or gender minority, who are interested in participating should contact the research team by email.
This study has been reviewed by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board, project #14687.
Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation
Nominate someone today!
This is Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Frank Egan.
This past Veterans’ Week, he was awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for his volunteer efforts.
Over the past few years, Frank has worked closely with Project ’44 to develop a large database of unit positions from the Second World War. The project provides a virtual glimpse into the various allied efforts, from the beaches of Normandy to the streets of the Netherlands.
Do you know someone like Frank? Nominate them for the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation. The deadline for nominations is 31 January 2023.
Veteran family virtual summit 27–28 January 2023
Empowering Veteran families through knowledge, community and hope
The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families is hosting a free, two-part virtual summit dedicated to providing information, tools and resources about Veteran Family mental health.
Families play an important role in supporting Veterans and former members of the RCMP living with mental health issues. As they support a Veteran, it is important that families also have the support they need, too.
The Veteran family virtual summit will bring together speakers from across Canada and explore mental health topics such as compassion fatigue, impacts on children and effects on relationships. It will take place on January 27 and 28 between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Eastern time.
For more information on the summit and to register, check out the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families’ website.
Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund
Canadian organizations help Veterans with support from the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund
Last month, during Veterans’ Week, the Veteran and Family Well‑Being Fund announced funding for two more projects to support Veterans and their families.
- The Strongest Families Institute project: e-Mental Health Solution for Veterans and Families is receiving $1,050,000 in funding to improve access to e-mental health services for Veterans and their families. The project targets anxiety and depression, behaviour challenges at home or school and night-time bed-wetting. This program provides mental health support for up to 3,500 individuals and families.
- Team Rubicon Canada is receiving $450,000 to provide specialized emergency management training, education, and experiential learning. This will be delivered through both expanded and refined course offerings, coupled with field leadership opportunities for Veterans. This project involves program development, as well as program delivery, to support the employability of Veterans.
During the 2021–22 fiscal year, 36 projects received $11.3 million from the Fund. These projects focus on issues affecting Veterans and their families during post-COVID-19 recovery, such as homelessness, retraining, employment and health challenges. The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund also supports equity-seeking groups such as women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans.
Since 2018, the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund has provided financial support to private, public and academic organizations to improve the lives of Veterans and their families.
The 2022-23 call for applications closed on 14 November 2022. Results will be announced in the coming months. In the meantime, please visit our webpage to see the full list of current recipients.
Best wishes for a holiday season that brings joy and creates good memories for all closest to your heart.
Do you know other Veterans, family members or others who would benefit from the information in this newsletter? Feel free to share it with them.