UPEI Partners with Veterans Affairs Canada to Study Veterans with Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and Veterans Affairs Canada are building a team of experts to study a growing problem: the reintegration into the workplace of Veterans with mental health conditions. With the help of an $80,000 catalyst grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Dr. David Pedlar, UPEI Adjunct Professor and Director of Research, Veterans Affairs Canada, will lead the team toward the development of longer term studies.

"The successful CIHR application is an exciting opportunity to build new knowledge to support successful military to civilian transition and workplace reintegration for Veterans with mental health conditions,' says Dr. Pedlar. 'The research will benefit all Canadians as there is insufficient knowledge on how to successfully reintegrate persons with mental health conditions to the workplace."

UPEI's catalyst grant from CIHR will allow Dr. Pedlar to build a pan-Canadian team of experts which includes epidemiologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, academics, physicians and nurses.

According to Dr. Pedlar, this is not just a Canadian problem. Mental health conditions are often associated with early discharge from the military and reintegration into the civilian workplace is difficult for many Veterans in Canada, Britain and the United States.

'This research project has the potential to influence policy, and to enhance successful reintegration of Veterans into civilian life,' says Katherine Schultz, UPEI's Vice President of Research and Development. 'This is an exciting team working toward a significant and socially important goal. I'm proud UPEI is able to build on its relationship with Veterans Affairs Canada to do this.'

'Veterans with mental health conditions face unique needs and challenges when transitioning from the military to civilian life,' says Suzanne Tining, Deputy Minister, Veterans Affairs Canada. 'The findings from this research will help in the ongoing evaluation of our programs and services.'

The CIHR grant is for one year, and will be administered by UPEI.