Mr. Chair, Mr. Vice-Chair, and members of the committee, my name is Sanela Dursun. I am the director of the personnel and family support research organization at the Department of National Defence, responsible for the Canadian Armed Forces psychosocial health dynamics research, conditions of service and the work environment, and military family research. We conduct research in support of effective and affordable programs, policies, and services for military personnel and their families that enhance individual and family well-being, care for the ill and injured, and prepare members for transition to civilian life.
In the last couple of years, we've pioneered research on the experiences of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families in the transition from military to civilian life. We've developed many external relationships and an international reputation, having collaborated with federal departments such as Veterans Affairs and Statistics Canada, and we have contributed to and led conferences on veterans' health and family well-being. Our defence scientists have participated in numerous international initiatives, including research-sharing groups such as the technical co-operation panel, known as the TTCP, for example, and NATO research task groups. I am a co-chair of the NATO research task group on the transition of military veterans from active service to civilian life.
Today I'd like to highlight two projects, two initiatives, in our organization. In particular, the focus is on the transition of ill and injured members and their families.
The Canadian Armed Forces transition and well-being survey, which was administered this past summer by Statistics Canada, was led by our organization in consultation with our Veterans Affairs partners. The survey sought to compare a sample of 1,000 veterans who were medically released in 2016 with 1,000 veterans who were not medically released in the same year. Spouses were also included in this sample.
Survey questions asked about their health and well-being, activities undertaken to prepare for transition, use of transition services, and family well-being. This study will provide population estimates on the utilization of services, in addition to service barriers or gaps, and various health outcomes. It will also provide baseline estimates for the longitudinal component of future surveys.
Data collection was completed this summer. We had a 70% response rate. The first results will be released by Statistics Canada in March 2018, in just a few days.
The next project I would like to highlight is the assessment of the operational stress injury social support program, known as the OSISS program. We examined in detail participants' experiences with this specific National Defence and Veterans Affairs program, using semi-structured interviews with about 100 participants in the operational stress injury peer support and family support programs across Canada.
We found that participants commonly valued the fact that the program allowed them to meet others with similar backgrounds and experiences. They also valued the fact that the program allowed them to make social connections, to have increased access to support, to exchange information, and to speak openly in a safe environment about their experiences with an operational stress injury.
In addition to the overwhelmingly positive experiences of OSISS participants as well as their family caregivers, some key challenges and barriers were identified. As illustrated by the above examples, National Defence and Veterans Affairs have been engaged in an increasing number of coordinated research activities to better understand the experiences and needs of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families during the transition from military to civilian life. Collectively, these efforts have filled an important knowledge gap and have contributed to a stronger evidence base for enhancing policies, programs, and services aimed at making the transition from military to civilian life more seamless for military members and their families.
Thank you for the invitation to appear before the committee today.