Veterans Affairs committee  It would be that they were not identified--not so much that they were refused but that they were not identified. The system was not in place. Back in 2005, we were still being referred people who had left the military and were just not identified. But for them to come forward a

Veterans Affairs committee  It's a low number, 10% to 15%. All the information is there, the assessment is there, and they're struggling to have it accepted.

Veterans Affairs committee  On the second issue, I agree. We need psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians who have training, and other mental health folks who have training. This is not part-time kind of moonlight work. Often people do, of course as part of their practice, take on and see some veterans as

Veterans Affairs committee  Certainly it was through working within the military system and conferencing. Part of my own academic training would have provided it in a general way. It's ongoing education.

Veterans Affairs committee  I am receiving an answer of “no”, which I trust. So the answer is, no, there isn't. It really comes back to vetting, really scrutinizing who the system takes on as providers for the care of veterans.

Veterans Affairs committee  In terms of referral, if people are referred, and they've already been diagnosed by a physician or another psychologist or psychiatrist, they can already have the pre-existing diagnosis of PTSD. As psychologists, we will also assess and we can diagnose them as PTSDs or some other

Veterans Affairs committee  Really, it is the same issue. It is the shortage of trained personnel. We need training, training, training, and qualifications beyond just showing up with my degree and saying that I'm now a Blue Cross provider to veterans. I need expertise and training, overseen throughout the

Veterans Affairs committee  To answer your second point about medical transitional services, I absolutely agree. The question becomes how we create a structure that follows a person as they transition “out of uniform”, to use that phrase, into civilian life, while dealing with an operational stress injury.

Veterans Affairs committee  I'll try to give you a straightforward answer. It's a bit of a complicated issue. Often a veteran will arrive at our office--that was early on--at the suggestion of a family member, at the suggestion of an OSISS peer support person, a military comrade. It could be a formal refe

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's a wonderful question. Thank you. Regarding improvements, that really comes back to the point that we really need to look at outcomes. With all our energy invested in our veterans and our people living in the military, with in-patients and out-patients, and various kinds o

Veterans Affairs committee  I can start with part of that answer and then turn it over to Mr. Cann. Do we see family members? We do very minimally, and it's usually the spouse of a veteran. I really don't understand ratios, but there's a formula that for any veteran who is being seen for psychotherapy or o

Veterans Affairs committee  Veterans Affairs.

Veterans Affairs committee  It's usually under our authorization as a provider, if we attempt to provide services to the family member of the veteran. We have not seen children or adult children, and that may be because of the particular kind of practice that we offer. As for the second part of your questi

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Chair. I'd like to thank the committee for the opportunity to be here today. Mr. Cann and I represent Whelan Psychological Services. We're a private practice of psychologists working primarily with military-related OSIs in Nova Scotia. By way of background, I served