New Canadian Armed Forces Centre of Excellence and Chair in Military Mental Health is Good for Canada say psychiatrists

OTTAWA, Dec. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) welcomes today's announcement that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has established a national Canadian Military and Veterans Mental Health Centre of Excellence and created a Chair in Military Mental Health in partnership with The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group (The Royal).

"Psychiatrists are hopeful that the establishment of a Centre of Excellence and a Chair in Military Mental Health will provide a solid infrastructure around which to build Canada's research into the unique mental health needs of military members, veterans and their families, ultimately resulting in better evidence-based treatments and services for all Canadians," says Dr. Padraic Carr, President of the CPA.

The Centre of Excellence will be housed within the Canadian Forces Health Services Group and is a collaborative initiative of the CAF and Veterans Affairs Canada.  Key focus areas for the Centre include:

• Research on the unique aspects of military and veteran mental health
• Collaboration with scientific experts through the Canadian Institute for Military and Veterans Health Research, other government agencies, the private sector and NATO allies among others
• The speedier adoption of leading-edge clinical research into clinical care

The CPA applauds the appointment of Colonel Rakesh Jetly, CAF Senior Psychiatrist and Mental Health Advisory to the Surgeon General, as the inaugural Chair in Military Mental Health.  Dr. Jetly is a co-Chair of the CPA Military and Veterans Section along with Dr. Donald Richardson.

The Canadian Psychiatric Association is the national voice for Canada's 4,700 psychiatrists and more than 900 psychiatric residents. Founded in 1951, the CPA is dedicated to promoting an environment that fosters excellence in the provision of clinical care, education and research.

SOURCE: Canadian Psychiatric Association

Hélène Côté, Canadian Psychiatric Association, [email protected], 613-234-2815 ext. 232 or 613-297-5038