News & Events
Participants in the PTS Roundtable
On February 5, 2019, in Ottawa, ON, the not-for-profit health-solutions partner Medavie hosted a roundtable of experts to identify the challenges facing families of military and first responders with post-traumatic stress, the gaps in support for families, and the priority needs of families that will enable them to support their loved ones living with PTS.
Dr. R. Nicholas Carleton, Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute of Public Safety Research and Training (CIPSRT), and Dr. Heidi Cramm, Associate Scientific Director of CIPSRT, participated in the expert panel. As part of the National Research Consortium for Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries among Public Safety Research and Treatment, CIPSRT serves as the Knowledge Exchange Hub for knowledge synthesis, translation, and exchange that relies upon the best contemporary research evidence to help current and former public safety personnel, their leaders, and their families to maintain and improve their mental health and well-being.
Discussion and key outcomes of the roundtable included opportunities for:
- Improving awareness and understanding of PTS among families;
- Strengthening treatment programs available; and
- Expanding access to those services.
The roundtable was attended by experts and key stakeholder groups, and included a keynote address from Roméo Dallaire, Retired Lt-General and National Patron for Wounded Warriors Canada, and a panel discussion moderated by Canadian hockey legend, author and the Honourable Ken Dryden, PC OC. A white paper is being developed to share the learnings from the discussion and provide government and stakeholders with actionable recommendations for next steps.