Minister Blaney Delivers Opening Address at Canadian Military and Veteran Health Research Forum 2012

KINGSTON, ON, Nov. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today gave the opening address to delegates at the third annual Canadian Military and Veteran Health Research Forum in Kingston, Ontario.

"Our Government is proud to be a partner in presenting the Military and Veteran Health Research Forum," said Minister Blaney. "The ground-breaking research presented and shared at this event is invaluable in helping us meet the needs of Canada's Veterans and their families."

Topics to be discussed during Forum 2012 include: mental, physical and social health; operational and environmental health; rehabilitation; transition from military to civilian life; and evolving treatment programs and clinical practices.

"Our Government commends Queen's University, the Royal Military College of Canada and their partners for their work in creating the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research," said Minister Blaney. "We are proud to support its efforts, including events such as this annual forum."

Established to help address the health research requirements of the military, Veterans and their families, the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research—a consortium of 26 Canadian universities—provides a link between universities and government departments, such as Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence.

In addition to supporting a leading Canadian researcher as a keynote speaker, Dr. Robert Tate from the University of Manitoba, Veterans Affairs Canada has provided a $5,000 contribution toward this year's forum. The Department's researchers will present on a number of topics, including results from the Survey on Transition to Civilian Life, evidence-based psychotherapy for military-related PTSD, Veterans' physical health, and challenges and successes in making the transition to civilian life.

"This forum is one important way to get information that will help our Veterans and their families," said Minister Blaney. "In addition to our ongoing research efforts, we have made a number of significant improvements to help Canada's Veterans make the transition to civilian life, including implementing the comprehensive new Veterans Transition Action Plan and new e-services—such as the Veterans' Benefits Browser, My VAC Account and My VAC Book—that put important information at Veterans' fingertips when they need it."

For more information on the Canadian Military and Veteran Health Research Forum, visit www.cimvhr.ca. For information on research activities, benefits, services, and programs at Veterans Affairs Canada, visit veterans.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada