HomeVeterans getting help to improve mental health: O’Regan
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Veterans getting help to improve mental health: O’Regan
by Spider Tue 17 Oct 2017, 1:22 pm
Veterans getting help to improve mental health: O’Regan
THE GUARDIAN/Jim Day
Published: Oct. 17, 2017, 10:25 a.m.
Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean KilpatrickOne veteran after another approached Seamus O’Regan at the Invictus Games last month in Toronto.
They were taking part in the international adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans. And each, rather quietly, just wanted to tell the veterans affairs minister that they are getting better mentally and their mental health issues, that could include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, are being well addressed.
“It was very heartening to hear that they did get the help they need and it did make a difference in their lives,’’ he told The Guardian during a visit to Charlottetown Friday to unveil the Veterans’ Week poster.
“These are Canadian veterans and these are private conversations. A lot of what will make the news are usually negative stories but there are a lot of positive stories out there that we don’t hear from and that’s the way it is because these are private stories – these are quiet stories.’’
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O’Regan says he is not interested in telling these stories to the world. He just wants the veterans suffering from mental illness to get well.
He believes both the Department of National Defence (DND) and his department are making good strides.
“The one thing that I know is that we cannot do enough,’’ he said.
“It’s really hard to gauge success in this because you can never do enough, but we have done a tremendous amount. We have a lot more front-line workers. We’ve trained our front-line workers and our case workers on mental health issues.’’
He says an easing of the stigma surrounding mental health is resulting in more veterans reaching out for help and, as a result, more are getting well.
O’Regan says he can relate to a certain degree with veterans struggling with mental illness.
He entered a wellness program over the Christmas holidays in 2015 in an effort to lead an alcohol-free lifestyle.
The former co-host of CTV’s “Canada AM” later became a mental health spokesperson for the annual Bell Let’s Talk campaign, which aims to open a national conversation on mental health issues.
Still, he concedes he could “never fully be able to appreciate’’ the experiences that have diminished the mental health of many Canadian veterans and active military personnel.
“We’ve gotten very good in this country – one of the best in the world – of professionalizing our soldiers once they get into the military,’’ says O’Regan.
“It’s our duty to prepare them to be a veteran – to prepare them for civilian life.’’
O’Regan says a number of veterans have expressed concern over finding doctors and in navigating the system for benefits and services.
He notes there is a “tremendous will’’ in both Veterans Affairs and DND to make appropriate improvements to allow for a smoother transition from military to civilian life.
“We understand how much better off people will be if we make this effort,’’ he said.
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/local/veterans-getting-help-to-improve-mental-health-oregan-156099/
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Re: Veterans getting help to improve mental health: O’Regan
by JAFO Tue 17 Oct 2017, 1:50 pm
“These are Canadian veterans and these are private conversations. A lot of what will make the news are usually negative stories but there are a lot of positive stories out there that we don’t hear from and that’s the way it is because these are private stories – these are quiet stories.’’
Guilt is the new tactic Minister? Obviously there is a hell of a lot more 'negative' stories then 'positive' or the issue would be a one and done news story. Come on Seamus as a former news anchor you know what BS sounds like when it comes from a politician.
If you are going to be a mediocre VAC Minister then you are heading in the right direction with this kind of interview.
Guilt is the new tactic Minister? Obviously there is a hell of a lot more 'negative' stories then 'positive' or the issue would be a one and done news story. Come on Seamus as a former news anchor you know what BS sounds like when it comes from a politician.
If you are going to be a mediocre VAC Minister then you are heading in the right direction with this kind of interview.
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Re: Veterans getting help to improve mental health: O’Regan
by Trooper Tue 17 Oct 2017, 7:14 pm
JAFO wrote:“These are Canadian veterans and these are private conversations. A lot of what will make the news are usually negative stories but there are a lot of positive stories out there that we don’t hear from and that’s the way it is because these are private stories – these are quiet stories.’’
Guilt is the new tactic Minister? Obviously there is a hell of a lot more 'negative' stories then 'positive' or the issue would be a one and done news story. Come on Seamus as a former news anchor you know what BS sounds like when it comes from a politician.
If you are going to be a mediocre VAC Minister then you are heading in the right direction with this kind of interview.
JAFO,
I think your being easy on the guy by giving him a mediocre standard.
I on the other hand give him a fail grade right from the get go.
He's got a lot to learn don't you know, and he's got some good teachers, the bureaucrats.
He is no different then the rest of them, he will follow the directions given to him by the experienced bureaucrats.
No Minister is going to go against the grain, I just hope that Veterans and Veteran groups don't fall trap to negotiations with the Minister and he's team, there's no positive outcome that will come from negotiating with them, the bureaucrats have control, negotiating or attending meetings with this individual or he's team is just feeding right into their PR system. I would hope that 11 years of fail negotiating between the government and Veterans should by now give the signal that it isn't working.
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Re: Veterans getting help to improve mental health: O’Regan
by JAFO Tue 17 Oct 2017, 11:21 pm
If it's one thing VAC's PR machine is good at is keeping veteran groups fractured which causes nothing but infighting amongst the vet groups.
Veteran groups which IMO do not deserve to be involved with any meetings, consultation or advising VAC.
They are easily bought by VAC with overseas trips, bringing them to Ottawa or PEI to be wined and dined or invited to posh events like TPL's annual fund raising dinner.
These are organizations that have leaders, presidents that are afraid to look into a mirror in the morning. But what I find most frustrating with these sycophants is if a veteran stands against them in a public forum these idiots rush to the Ministers defense.
It's sickening and absolutely frustrating that when a veteran stands up for other veterans who is only seeking simple answers is shouted down and shamed by these absolute, bought fools.
No wonder they, and I don't mean VAC, don't want these meetings recorded or have thorough minutes released. It would show the veteran community that their leader/president is but a puppet...a VAC bought puppet!
Veteran groups which IMO do not deserve to be involved with any meetings, consultation or advising VAC.
They are easily bought by VAC with overseas trips, bringing them to Ottawa or PEI to be wined and dined or invited to posh events like TPL's annual fund raising dinner.
These are organizations that have leaders, presidents that are afraid to look into a mirror in the morning. But what I find most frustrating with these sycophants is if a veteran stands against them in a public forum these idiots rush to the Ministers defense.
It's sickening and absolutely frustrating that when a veteran stands up for other veterans who is only seeking simple answers is shouted down and shamed by these absolute, bought fools.
No wonder they, and I don't mean VAC, don't want these meetings recorded or have thorough minutes released. It would show the veteran community that their leader/president is but a puppet...a VAC bought puppet!
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