Join Jennifer Eyre as she shares her inspiring journey of 37 years as a military spouse, offering a heartfelt exploration of the resilience and growth forged through a life of service and sacrifice. Through personal stories and lessons learned, Jennifer will highlight how the challenges and triumphs of military life have shaped her strength and adaptability. Emphasizing the importance of finding purpose amidst the chaos, looking for the good in each day and being compassionate toward each other’s struggles, Jennifer offers valuable insights and universal lessons that resonate beyond the military community.

This session delves into a research study focused on the adult children of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans and military members. By exploring their unique experiences and the effects of military service from their perspectives, the study aims to understand how growing up in a CAF Family impacts outcomes later in life. The session will present findings on the processes that shape resilience and development. 

This presentation provides an essential look into the enduring effects of military life on Family members, offering valuable insights into their journeys and highlighting the importance of tailored support systems.

We'll be presenting the l'Escale project, a workshop for medically-releasing military personnel, veterans and their spouses, and the reasons behind its creation.

Together, we'll explore some of the psychosocial issues associated with illness or injury, as well as the transition from military to civilian life (grief, spheres of life, values, needs, opportunities, etc.). We will then discuss how this can be experienced by different family members.

You'll be invited to take part in some of the exercises offered during l'Escale.

This presentation is designed to provide valuable insights into the critical role of sleep in mental health and how it specifically impacts Veterans and their Families. We will explore common sleep challenges faced by Veterans, including insomnia, nightmares, the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obstructive sleep apnea. 

The presentation will outline some available strategies for improving sleep, offering actionable strategies and resources while acknowledging often significant treatment challenges. 

Psychoeducation dispelling potentially harmful sleep “myths” will help guide Families, Veterans and service providers toward a better understanding of “what works” and “what doesn't.”

This panel will highlight the experiences of Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans and Veteran Families, as they each cope uniquely with the effects of posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI). Panellists will share their journey and offer practical strategies for parenting amidst the challenges of trauma. Attendees will learn about fostering resilience, building emotional bonds and creating safe spaces for children. 

Join us to explore the strength found in community and support, and leave with tools to navigate your own unique journey.

Browse resources shared during this presentation:

• Practical tips for parents in Veteran Families
• A guide for conversations with children in Veteran Families
• Warrior Kids Camp | Wounded Warriors Canada
• Breaking The Cycle | Can Praxis
• MindKit – MindKit is a place for youth to explore things related to mental health

You joined, served, something happened and you are leaving or have left the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or Canadian Armed Forces. 

Everyone talks about finances (Veterans Affairs Canada, pension, job, debts) as well as physical and mental health — these are all important things. 

But who is with you now, what is your plan with them, what is their plan (and did you even ask?) and did you leave anyone behind? A spouse, kids, grandkids, other close relatives (Mom/Dad), close friend or someone else? In this presentation, Staff Sergeant (Ret’d) Gary Hollender invites us to think not only about what the people around you can do for you, but also what you can do for them — and what you must do for them.

Parents of Veterans often become the overlooked caregivers, particularly those supporting adult children dealing with military-acquired injuries, such as operational stress injuries (OSI). This presentation will explore a pioneering study focusing on the experiences of parents of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans living with OSI, revealing the emotional, physical and relational challenges these parents face. Through interviews, parents shared with us their experiences who, despite their critical role, often feel isolated and unsupported. This session will discuss the implications for Family-centred care and identify pathways for future research and interventions aimed at providing better support for these Family members.

Browse resources shared during this presentation:

• https://www.safeproject.us/veterans/your-ruck/
• https://canadiancaregiving.org/national-caregiving-strategy/
• https://utppublishing.com/doi/10.3138/jmvfh-2023-0061
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Life transitions are inevitable. However, some come at us unexpectedly and can bring unanticipated challenges and adjustments that can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn for assistance. Military Family Services understands the adjustments that military Families need to make prior to, during and after release or while supporting an ill/injured member.

This presentation explores moral injury, focusing on its impact on Families. It introduces the concept of moral foundations to explain how violations of core values lead to moral injury and shares case studies illustrating how moral injury manifests differently for individuals. This talk discusses common symptoms and their effects on Family dynamics. It outlines therapeutic approaches such as expressive writing, narrative exposure therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), emphasizing how these can help realign moral foundations. The presentation provides practical tips for Family members to support their loved ones and care for themselves. It concludes with audience discussion, encouraging a deeper understanding of moral injury's complexities.

Watch a documentary on Roméo Dallaire's journey to learn more about the impacts of moral injury: youtube.com/watch?v=9CAOnJrxmKk

CONTENT WARNING: This video may include content that may be difficult to watch for some viewers. Please remember to care for your safety and well-being. Click the "Clinical support" tab in the vFairs summit platform menu or reach out to the Family Information Line (1-800-866-4546) for support.

Browse resources shared during this presentation:

• A guide to moral injury for Veterans and Families
• Moral foundations questionnaire
  

This panel joins past and present Invictus participants together with their supporting Family members to explore the complex challenges they face through the Games and to talk about their individual journeys of recovery. Hear first-hand accounts from Veteran Family members who have navigated the highs of competition and the lows of emotional struggle, often feeling overlooked in the process. 

This session will shed light on the vital role of Family support, emphasizing the need for acknowledgement and resources to help Families cope with their own unique challenges. Join us to discuss the importance of resilience, community and mutual healing.

Browse resources shared during this presentation:

• https://invictusgames2025.ca/
• https://www.soldieron.ca/team-canada/invictus/meet-team
• https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/video-gallery/video/12181/rec