VAC awards $800,000 to Nova Scotia based organizations offering mental health programs 

The Canadian Women’s Wellness Initiative and the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia will be receiving upwards of $800,000 combined from the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund announced Veterans Affairs Canada this week.

“Our government is proud to support the Canadian Women’s Wellness Initiative and the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, which are doing important work to promote healing and positive mental health outcomes for Veterans. Their projects demonstrate what the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund is all about: innovative approaches to making life better for Veterans in Canada,” stated Lawrence MacAulay, minister of veterans affairs who made the announcement.

The Canadian Women’s Wellness Initiative will be using the funds to offer stress-reduction training to Veterans and their families, including a transcendental meditation program. The program will help veterans and their families deal with toxic stress, occupational stress, and post-traumatic stress. The Canadian Women’s Wellness Initiative was approved for $48,715 for 2019-2020.

“The Canadian Women’s Wellness Initiative is honoured to be working with the Veterans Affairs Canada in finding innovative ways to improve the lives of Veterans and their families. We will be offering training to 20 families in the Transcendental Meditation technique, a simple but effective stress reduction tool that has been shown to significantly improve physical and mental health, improve overall quality of life, and help foster a more harmonious family dynamic,” said Helen Creighton, national director, Canadian Women’s Wellness Initiative.

Funding for the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia will go towards the Landing Strong program, a 12-week day-treatment program that helps veterans and their families address mental, moral and physical aspects of injury. It will also be used to support year-round workshops, Community Connection days and social media education and support initiatives. The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia was approved for $727,876 over five years, beginning in 2019-20.

“We know PTSD impacts countless individuals and their families. This funding will go a long way toward helping our Veterans while changing the way people think about mental illness at the same time. We are incredibly proud of this partnership and what it means to Veterans who deserve to be landing strong,” said Starr Cunningham, president and chief executive officer, Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

According to a Veterans Affairs Canada press release; “the Government of Canada’s Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund provides $3 million a year in grants and contributions to private, public or academic organizations for research, initiatives, and projects that improve the well-being of Veterans and their families.”

In 2018 and 2019, Veterans Affairs Canada provided funding for 43 projects that served to benefit the lives of veterans and their families.