Symposium Builds Awareness of PTSD

More than 200 people gathered in London, Ontario, at Parkwood Hospital in May to help Veterans Affairs Canada explore ways to help war service and Canadian Forces veterans who suffer from a range of occupational stress injuries, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The Symposium, hosted by VAC and Parkwood Hospital - St. Joseph's Health Care, brought together community-based health professionals and providers who may know of, or be treating, people who suffer from PTSD related to their military service. The symposium also highlighted some of the important work that VAC and the Department of National Defence are doing to assess and treat our clients.

"There are many former military out there, some in your communities, who have never applied for services from VAC, yet are suffering from PTSD or other operational stress injuries. We need to know about them so we can provide them with the benefits and services to which they are entitled," explained Larry Murray, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada.

Parkwood Hospital is a health care facility under contract with VAC which has been providing specialized care to veterans since 1980.