Vicki L MorrisonGeneral Dynamics Canada announce earlier this week a contribution of half a million dollars over three years to support the work of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research.
The contribution will fuel research into understanding, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of operational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder thereby enhancing the lives of Canadian military personnel, veterans, their families and their communities.
The $500,000 contribution is designed to support the partnership between CIMVHR and the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, while supporting capacity building within both organizations.
“General Dynamics Canada recognizes the sacrifices that military members and their families are asked to make and how essential it is to focus on getting our troops all the way home from the battlefield,” said David Ibbetson, general manager, General Dynamics Canada.“The work that CIMVHR is doing to understand, diagnose, treat and prevent operational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder is very important and we are very proud to support it.”
The announcement was made at the fifth annual Military and Veteran Health Research Forum hosted by CIMVHR. The Forum brought together key stakeholders in military and veteran health research including universities, researchers, clinicians, government and industry, for knowledge translation, networking and collaboration to improve the health and well-being of Canadian military personnel, veterans and their families.
“CIMVHR is the hub for advancements in military, veteran and family health research. General Dynamics Canada is joining forces with us, and illustrating their commitment to playing a key role in these efforts,” said Dr. Alice Aiken, Director of CIMVHR.
General Dynamic’s $500,000 pledge will be paid annually over three years, beginning in January 2015. The donation sets a benchmark for industry participation in ensuring the health and wellbeing of military members, veterans and their families.
“The Royal also welcomes General Dynamics Canada’s significant contribution,” added Dr. Zul Merali, president & CEO of The Royal’s Research Institute. “We are only beginning to understand the impact of operational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder on our military, veterans, their families, and on our broader communities. This investment in research and capacity building will help position us to better face the demands of tomorrow.”
General Dynamics Canada is part of General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics. General Dynamics Canada provides technology-based electronic systems, systems integration, and in-service support to defence and public security organizations.
The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research CIMVHR is an innovative organization that engages existing academic research resources and facilitates the development of new research, research capacity and effective knowledge translation. With a network of academic researchers from across Canada, it serves as the hub for 35 Canadian universities who have agreed to work together in addressing the health research requirements of the Canadian military, veterans and their families.
The Royal is one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centres. The Royal also operates an operational stress injury clinic for Veterans Affairs providing the most advanced care to veterans, soldiers and RCMP officers. The Royal’s mandate is to help more people living with mental illness get into recovery faster. The Royal places a sharp focus on awareness building through the You Know Who I Am campaign, the DIFD youth movement and self-management mobile apps and web-based programs such as OSI Connect and The Mind’s the Matter for soldiers and their families in addition to Healthy Minds for youth and young adults.
For information about General Dynamics Canada visit www.gdcanada.com, CIMVHR visit www.cimvhr.ca, and for more information about the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre please visit www.theroyal.ca
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