At Veterans Connect Canada, we aim to reach Veterans who are at risk of suicide, change their path away from suicide and ultimately connect them with the help they need.

“I am in awe of how much courage it takes people to open up and agree to be a part of our project.”

Bruce Thomson CD
President and Co-founder Veterans Connect Canada

It is unacceptable for Veterans to die by suicide, yet this tragic and preventable cause of death continues to be a very real problem among Canadian Veterans.

We are proud of our Veterans. For their sacrifices, we owe them a path back to mental and physical well-being (and much more) – particularly if they’ve turned to thoughts of suicide.

Fortunately, there are paths away from suicide, but to get there we need to start by removing the barriers that keep Veterans from seeking help.

Addressing suicide means addressing mental health problems.

Veterans face unique challenges and barriers to care for mental health issues. For active duty Veterans, seeking help is perceived as career-ending. The military is more than a job – it’s family and identity. For retired Veterans, seeking help for mental health problems is just as difficult. When a Veteran chooses to get help, accessing services can mean dealing with multiple levels of bureaucracy.

This can compel Veterans to remain silent and suffer alone.
A seemingly uncontrollable downward spiral of family and financial problems, substance misuse, homelessness, and ultimately, suicide or homicide can follow, if not addressed early enough.

Suicide affects more than one life. Each death by suicide affects families, friends and communities, and can be felt for generations.

Removing the Barriers

First steps are often the hardest. Most often, feelings of anger, fear, guilt, and shame keep those who need help the most from reaching out.

What can help remove the barriers? For many, hearing stories of others who have had similar experiences; who have struggled and returned from dark places. Veterans need to hear from and connect with their peers – about how they felt, what it took seek help, and how their lives have changed for the better.

By Veterans, for Veterans

As a Canadian non-profit organization, led by Veterans, for Veterans, we aim to:

Connect Veterans with Veterans
Tell stories that resonate with Veterans and encourages them to seek help
Reduce the stigma around suicide and mental health issues in the military
Match Veterans with the people and resources that can help them feel well again

Stay in Touch for More Stories, Experiences & Resources

Stay in touch! We officially launched on October 30, 2017 with stories, experiences and a wealth of resources.

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Veterans Connect Canada | PO Box 88141, Rabbit Hill PO, Edmonton, AB, T6R 0M5 | info@veteransconnect.ca | veteransconnect.ca