Who are Veterans?
Veterans are former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), including those who served in the:
- Canadian Army
- Royal Canadian Navy
- Royal Canadian Air Force
Additionally, former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are often considered Veterans.
- Awareness
- Sensitivity
- Knowledge
- Skills
Learning objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Recognize how cultural background and biases influence perceptions of Veterans.
- Understand how these biases shape assumptions about Veterans’ mental health needs.
- Identify the unique stressors Veterans may experience during and after conflicts, disasters, and emergencies.
Why this matters
Veterans have served in high-pressure, high-risk environments that can have lasting effects on their health and well-being. When supporting this population, reflect on your own perceptions of Veterans and how these assumptions might influence their willingness to seek help. Ongoing self-reflection is key to ensuring unbiased and effective support.
Veterans and emergency response
Veterans may be called upon to assist during disasters and national emergencies. Their military training equips them with critical skills, but the experience of re-engaging in high-stress environments can also:
- Trigger past trauma or moral injury.
- Reinforce stigma around mental health struggles.
- Exacerbate physical injuries sustained during service.
Recognizing the impact of social identity in high-stress situations
Social identity — such as race, gender, and socioeconomic background — shapes how Veterans experience crises and access support.
- Veterans from racialized communities may encounter discrimination or cultural stigma around seeking mental health care.
- Female Veterans may have different service experiences than their male counterparts, influencing how they navigate post-service challenges.
- Low-income Veterans may struggle to access adequate health care and social support.
Reflective questions
What assumptions do you have about the mental health needs of Veterans?
How might emergencies or disasters re-trigger past trauma for Veterans?
Learning objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Develop an emotional understanding of the mental health challenges faced by Veterans.
- Recognize how military culture and personal identity shape their experiences.
Why this matters
Veterans often have a strong sense of duty, resilience, and camaraderie, which can make acknowledging mental health struggles difficult. They may feel a heightened sense of responsibility during crises, even at the expense of their own well-being.
Emotional and mental health stressors for Veterans
- Exposure to past trauma may resurface during emergencies, particularly if they are called to serve in crisis response efforts.
- A strong sense of duty and camaraderie may compel them to assist, even when it negatively impacts their mental health.
- Isolation and loss of purpose post-service can contribute to depression, anxiety, and difficulty reintegrating into civilian life.
Cultural sensitivity to mental health disparities in crisis response
- Veterans from diverse cultural backgrounds may experience stigma against seeking mental health care.
- Service-related injuries may become aggravated during physically demanding crisis situations.
- Lack of culturally competent health care can prevent Veterans from receiving the support they need.
Reflective question
How might a Veteran’s sense of duty impact their willingness to seek help during crises?
Learning objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Identify common mental health challenges faced by Veterans in crisis situations.
- Understand how cultural identity influences their stress, coping strategies, and help-seeking behaviour.
Why this matters
Veterans experience mental health challenges that are often exacerbated by disasters and emergencies. Recognizing these challenges allows you to offer better, more targeted support.
Mental health challenges among Veterans
Veterans may experience:
- PTSD and moral injury from past deployments and combat.
- Heightened anxiety or depression due to re-engagement in crisis settings.
- A sense of loss or hopelessness if unable to serve in times of need.
- Exacerbation of service-related injuries during high-stress events.
The role of cultural identity in mental health experiences
Cultural identity influences how Veterans process trauma, seek support, and reintegrate into civilian life.
- Veterans from racialized communities may face additional stressors such as discrimination or lack of culturally competent care.
- Experiences of moral injury can make it difficult for some Veterans to participate in frontline response efforts.
Reflective questions
What specific stressors make Veterans more vulnerable to depression and anxiety?
How should these factors be considered if Veterans are called into service again?
Learning objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Apply culturally informed skills to effectively support Veterans.
- Provide compassionate and effective mental health support during emergencies.
Why this matters
Veterans have unique needs shaped by their service history, cultural background, and personal experiences. Providing effective support requires flexibility, empathy, and a commitment to culturally competent care.
Communication skills for crisis support
Supporting Veterans means:
- Practicing active listening to build trust and validate their experiences.
- Using respectful, military-aware language to create a sense of understanding.
- Recognizing institutional mistrust that may prevent Veterans from seeking help.
Building trust and rapport in crisis situations
Supporting Veterans means:
- Practicing active listening to build trust and validate their experiences.
- Using respectful, military-aware language to create a sense of understanding.
- Recognizing institutional mistrust that may prevent Veterans from seeking help.
Reflective questions
How can you create an environment where Veterans feel safe sharing their struggles?
What strategies help build trust while respecting their lived experiences?