1. IMPACTS OF THE MILITARY LIFESTYLE Valcartier Military Family Resource Centre’s 21 Years’ Experience and Results © Valcartier Family Centre, November 2013

2. DEMOGRAPHICS -There are over 57,000 military families in Canada -75 % of military couples have children -There are over 64,000 children under 18 who have a parent in the military -83% of military families live in civilian communities as opposed to on a military base -76% have relocated at least once due to a spouse’s posting -70% have experienced a spouse being deployed at least once and 17% have experienced more than 5 times -46% of military spouses are employed full time, and -13% of military spouses are male. There are over 64,000 children under 18 who have a parent in the military Statistics from Institut Vanier

3. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS -Family types Married or not Blended families Single-parent Shared custody Special needs -Relationship dynamics -Resiliency -Physical and mental health -Personal values -Cultural differences Call out

4. MILITARY LIFESTYLE Call out -Postings -Community life (PMQs) -Separation from extended family -Occupational demands -Ever-present hierarchy -Partial information / disinformation

5. MILITARY LIFESTYLE Call out EFFECTS -Adapting to relocations -Losses: Employment (spouse) Social network School / daycare Professional resources (doctor, dentist, speech therapist…) -Learning a second language -Difficulties understanding the complex military structure -Accentuated by: single-parent families / special needs / military couple

6. MILITARY LIFESTYLE Call out SERVICES REQUIRED -Information and Referral Service -Employment Assistance Program -Social Activities -Volunteer Action -Second Language Training -Youth Program

7. MILITARY LIFESTYLE Statistics -More than 1500 participants in parent-child groups per year -More than 2500 participants per year in community activities RESULTS -Families report that they were able to make a smooth transition -Better chances for adapting -Less stress -Easier integration -Creation of a social network -Obtaining work -Youth educating other young people on the effects of military life -Developing potential and self esteem -Increased empowerment

8. ABSENCES Call out -Imposed Restriction -Training -Courses -Domestic Operations -Missions -Short notice departure and constant change -Partial information for families

9. ABSENCES Call out EFFECTS -Domestic adjustment (departure, time of leave, return) -Temporary single-parenting -Stress and work over-load -Providing moral support for deployed spouse -Short absence = unbalanced family state -Isolation when mission affects a small local number

10. ABSENCES Call out ESSENTIAL SERVICES REQUIRED -Educational and Prevention Workshops -Support Groups -On-line Support System -Emergency Childcare Service -Respite Service

11. ABSENCES Call out MAIN RESULTS -Lower stress levels -Families have better tools -Better understanding of the mission -Families feel they are being listened to -Increased trust between clients and the VFC -More than 700 hours per year in emergency childcare -More than 1000 respite hours in deployment years STRESS

12. ABSENCES Call out RESULTS -Lower stress levels -Families have better tools -Better understanding of the mission -Families feel they are being listened to -Increased trust between clients and the VFC -More than 700 hours per year in emergency childcare -More than 1000 respite hours in deployment years STRESS

13. HIGH-RISK OPERATIONS Call out -Afghanistan -Critical incidents -Recurrence -Mission media coverage -Operational tempo -Difficulty understanding war and its profound effects

14. HIGH-RISK OPERATIONS Call out EFFECTS -Impacts on extended family -Increase in stress and anxiety -Elevated level of adaptability -Resistance against departures -Public opinion impact -Regionally isolated parents and families -Contamination (stress, anxiety)

15. HIGH-RISK OPERATIONS Call out EFFECTS -Homecoming: Difficulty adapting Operational stress injuries Impulsiveness / violence Problems (couples, teens, children) Wear and tear of families -Service limits: Frustration, feeling of non-appreciation -Frustration towards CF -Release from CF (chosen and enforced)

16. HIGH-RISK OPERATIONS Call out MAIN RESULTS -Reduction of stress in the face of the unknown -Facilitates the mission for both the family and the military member -Restoring communication within couples and families -Certain couples avoided breakups STRESS

17. INJURIES Call out -Families with injured member (physical and psychological) -Families of deceased -Compassion Fatigue

18. INJURIES Statistics -17 % of people who consulted a counsellor did so because of an operational stress injury -35 % involve separation of couples or marital trouble. ESSENTIAL SERVICES REQUIRED -Counselling Services -Intervention Groups -Adapted Resources -Casual Child Care Support

19. INJURIES Call out MAIN RESULTS -Introduction of new modes of communication -Strengthening of the family unit -Restoring balance to the family -Better access and coordination of services for couples and families STRESS

20. © Valcartier Family Centre, November 2013 IMPACTS OF THE MILITARY LIFESTYLE FUTURE CHALLENGES -Returning to garrison life -Financial cutbacks -Loss of interest from the population -Impact of missions on mental health -Integration of new families -Reaching out to families – communication challenges