Minister Fantino Participates in the 2013 Canadian Military and Veteran Health Research Forum (CMVHR)

EDMONTON, Nov. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today met with leading Canadian and international researchers, academics and experts at the fourth annual Canadian Military and Veteran Health Research Forum in Edmonton, Alberta. The Forum brings together leading Canadian and international researchers on military and Veteran health.

"Our Government is proud to be a supporter of the 2013 Military and Veteran Health Research Forum," said Minister Fantino. "The cutting-edge research presented and discussed at this event is invaluable to meeting the needs of Veterans and their families."

Topics presented and discussed at this year's event include: mental, physical, social and occupational health; making the transition from military to civilian life; post-traumatic stress disorder; obesity, sport, and abilities; suicide; helping military families; and health in the workplace.

As part of the event, Minister Fantino will also meet with Captain Simon Mailloux, who was seriously injured while on duty in Afghanistan in 2007 as the result of an improvised explosive device and returned to service in Afghanistan in 2009. He currently serves as the infantry second-in-command for the 1st Battalion, Royal 22^e Régiment.

"Our Government commends Queen's University and its partners for their work in creating the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research and this forum, which is one important way to gather ideas, generate dialogue and disseminate information to help Canadian Armed Forces personnel, Veterans and their families," said Minister Fantino. "We must do everything we can to support Canada's Veterans, and the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces who, like Captain Mailloux, have put themselves in harm's way to ensure our freedom."

Established to help address the health research requirements of the military, Veterans and their families, the Institute is a consortium of 30 Canadian universities providing a link between universities and government departments, such as Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence.

Veterans Affairs Canada researchers will also present at the Forum on topics including new findings from the Life After Service Studies; a new national initiative to improve mental health service delivery; and the analysis of findings about the wellness of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans.

For more information on the Canadian Military and Veteran Health Research Forum, visit www.cimvhr.ca.

Veterans Affairs Canada's supports and services offer the right care at the right time to achieve the best results for Veterans and their families. Find out more at veterans.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada