We spoke earlier about the big challenge, for example, with accessing medical professionals in the community. We are actively trying to do more outreach and network with the medical professions. We did have a collaboration with the Canadian Psychiatric Association and the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research to have, in the five major cities across Canada, at the annual CPA conference, modules specifically on post-traumatic stress disorder and treatment for it, specifically in the context of veterans, which we know can be different.
It's really important that the medical professionals know that we are here to help. With our 200 clinical care managers across the country, if these very busy medical professionals in their private offices know there is support and that Veterans Affairs Canada has a lot to offer...we're hoping we can help with this very difficult situation in the medical system. That is an example.
We are working with the Canadian Mental Health Association. They have lots of programs. We can't reinvent the wheel. We always have to do our part in terms of making what they have available specific to the needs of our veteran population, because we know it is different. There's a lot of expertise out there, and we think we can be more effective and efficient by partnering with all the different associations, such as the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, the Canadian Mental Health Association, etc. That really allows us to do better.
It goes internationally as well. We have had symposia in the past with the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, where we were able to bring in all the prominent experts in the field of operational stress injuries, and lots from the different VAs across the country, so that we could learn from each other and become better in the services we offer.