INSPIRE: INcreasing VeteranS' Pathways to Information, Resilience, and Empowerment
In partnership with:
Background
Transitioning from military service to civilian life involves more than a change in status - it requires Veterans to take on new roles and identities. This can pose challenges for their transition, overall well-being and resiliency. Statistics suggest that 1 in 4 Veterans report a difficult transition. Poor mental and physical health often stem from, or can be exaggerated by, difficulties encountered during this transition. The MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, in collaboration with Veteran Affairs Canada, is conducting a study to examine the experiences of Veterans during their transition out of military service. The study will use an online survey to gather input from Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans about their attitudes, access to resources, goals and challenges experienced during the transition out of military. The goal is to engage CAF Veterans to identify priority areas of challenge to develop programs that meet their well-being needs.
Key messages / Media Lines
The transition from military service to civilian life is a major life event. Research has shown that 1 in 4 Veterans report difficulties during this transition.
MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, in collaboration with Veteran Affairs Canada, is conducting a study to gather input from CAF Veterans about their experiences during transition. The goal is to better understand, and ultimately support, the overall well-being, mental health and resilience of Canadian Veterans.
Through an online survey, CAF Veterans can provide information about their experiences. Topics will include military service, transition to civilian life, use of programs and services, and a range of topics related to overall health and well-being (e.g. social support, sense of purpose, finances, and housing).
By engaging CAF Veterans to identify priority areas of strengths and challenges, the study will provide valuable insight into what’s working well and where improvements can be made to better support Veterans’ well-being.
Findings from the survey will inform phase two of the study which will include developing, piloting, and evaluating an e-learning program to support Veterans’ mental health and promote resilience.
Study findings and products will be shared with Veterans Affairs Canada and other service providers to inform future programs and services that support the well-being of Veterans and their families.
Questions and Answers
What is the INSPIRE: INcreasing VeteranS' Pathways to Information, Resilience, and Empowerment study?
What is VAC’s role in this research?
Are other Veterans organizations helping to recruit for this study?
Will VAC have access to the study data?
If I choose to participate, will my personal information remain confidential?
If I choose to participate, will I be compensated for my time?
I am not a VAC client. Can I participate?
How will the survey findings be used?
How was the survey designed?
How is this project being funded?
How long will the survey take to complete?
How long will the survey be available?
When will the findings of the study be available?
Who can I talk to for more information or to answer my questions?
Q1. What is the INSPIRE: INcreasing VeteranS' Pathways to Information, Resilience, and Empowerment study?
A1. The study will use an online survey to gather input from CAF Veterans about their attitudes, access to resources, goals and challenges experienced during the transition out of the military. The goal is for CAF Veterans to identify priority areas to develop programs that meet their well-being needs. Findings from the survey will then inform phase two of the study, which will include developing, piloting, and evaluating an e-learning program to support Veterans’ mental health and promote resilience.
Q2. What is VAC’s role in this research?
A2. VAC is a partner and collaborator in this project. Employees from key areas of the Department will participate on an advisory committee to inform and co-develop the content and design. This includes staff from the Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans, Research, Transition Services, Rehabilitation and Case Management.
Q3. Are other Veterans organizations helping to recruit for this study?
A3. Yes, the Atlas Institute and the MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre will also be recruiting Veterans to participate in the study.
Q4. Will VAC have access to the study data?
A4. As a partner and collaborator, VAC will receive a summary of the findings that highlight the needs identified by Veterans, including the needs of Veterans in equity-deserving groups such as women, 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous, Black and racialized Veterans. Findings will inform future program and policy development within VAC. VAC will not receive any personal information or know who chooses to participate. Veteran participation is completely voluntary and will in no way impact their current or future dealings with the department.
Q5. If I choose to participate, will my personal information remain confidential?
A5. Yes, any information you provide will remain confidential. You will not be identified in the survey results or final reports. Furthermore, VAC will not receive any personal information or know who chooses to participate. Your participation is completely voluntary and the information you provide will not affect your benefits or services received from VAC currently or in the future.
Q6. If I choose to participate, will I be compensated for my time?
A6. Participation in the study is voluntary and no monetary compensation will be offered to participants.
Q7. I am not a VAC client. Can I participate?
A7. Yes. The quality of the study and findings depends on participation from Veterans who do not currently access VAC services as well as those who do.
Q8. How will the survey findings be used?
A8. Findings from the survey will inform phase two of the study which will include developing, piloting, and evaluating an e-learning program to support Veterans’ mental health and promote resilience.
General study results will be shared with Veterans Affairs Canada and other service providers to inform future programs and services that support the well-being of Veterans and their families. Findings will help identify strategies and priority areas for program development.
Q9. How was the survey designed?
A9. The survey was designed in consultation with Veterans, stakeholders and numerous groups within Veterans Affairs Canada, including Research, Transition Services, Rehabilitation Services, Case Management, Health Professionals, and the Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans.
The research team will continue to work with Veterans Affairs Canada, Veterans and other partners and stakeholders to ensure the needs and voices of Veterans are represented and highlighted in research.
Q10. How is this project being funded?
A10. This project is funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR).
Q11. How long will the survey take to complete?
A11. The survey should take about 15-20 minutes to complete.
Q12. How long will the survey be available?
A12. While there is no set timeline for the survey to be available online, it will be kept open until at least 200 Veterans complete the survey.
Q13. When will the findings of the study be available?
A13. This is a multi-phase and multi-year study. While the research team expects to be complete by late 2024, the timelines will be impacted by how long it takes to recruit Veterans to participate in each phase. For more information or project updates, please contact Luciana (Lucy) Brown, Research Coordinator, MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, at 519-685-4292 ext. 48211, or by email at: osiresearch@sjhc.london.on.ca.
Q14. Who can I talk to for more information or to answer my questions?
A14. For more information, please contact Luciana (Lucy) Brown, Research Coordinator, MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, at 519-685-4292 ext. 48211, or by email at: osiresearch@sjhc.london.on.ca.
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