Mind Beyond the Mission

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Brian McKenna and Laryssa Lamrock are joined by Nick McCarthy, historian and Director of Marketing, Communications and Community Outreach at Beechwood Cemetery, the home of Canada’s National Military Cemetery, located in Ottawa, ON. They discuss the importance of military cemeteries, how they connect Canadians to their military history and the evolving ways in which Remembrance is fostered — from honouring the stories of Veterans and their Families and encouraging public participation in ceremonies, to initiatives like those involving youth and schools in Remembrance events. Nick shares moving stories of connection and healing, describing events at Beechwood and examples of meaningful practices around Remembrance. The conversation highlights the importance of both individual and collective healing, the value of sharing Family stories, and the ongoing need to foster more meaningful connections between military and Veteran and civilian communities.

Key topics

• The significance and evolution of Canada’s National Military Cemetery at Beechwood
• Storytelling as a tool for preserving military history and fostering connection
• Remembrance ceremonies and opportunities for youth to participate
• Meaningful traditions at grave sites, such as leaving coins and stones, and their symbolism
• Honouring military and Veteran Families alongside service members in memorial spaces
• The importance of accessible technology and resources for Remembrance and historical education
• The role of cemeteries and ceremonies in supporting mental health and healing 

Resources

•  The National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery: Information about the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), including eligibility requirements for CAF members.
• National Military Cemetery video overview: Watch a video about the National Military Cemetery showcasing its four unique sections
• The Hall of Colours: Watch a video about the Hall of Colours, an area that exclusively serves the memorial needs of CAF members and Veterans.
• No Stone Left Alone Memorial Foundation: Through the No Stone Left Alone (NSLA) Memorial Foundation, students honour fallen Canadian military members and connect to history by laying poppies at the headstones of Veterans.
• Veterans Affairs Canada: Information about the National Military Cemetery
• Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) HOPE Program: This program offers continuous peer support and education on grief to help bereaved Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their Families to better understand the grief process and provides coping strategies.
• MyGrief.ca: A free e-learning resource designed by Canadian Virtual Hospice featuring various modules to help you to understand and move through your grief, at your own pace.
• KidsGrief.ca: A free online resource to help parents talk to their kids about death. 
• Stories from Veterans and Families: Watch digital stories from CAF and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans and Family members. Told in their own words, they share a thread of recovery and resilience. In bringing these stories to life, the hope is to support others on their own journeys.

Lire en français : https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep38-fr

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Brian and Laryssa have an open and personal conversation about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its unique impacts among Veterans and their Families. 

They discuss how PTSD is often the “elephant in the room” for Veterans and their loved ones, highlighting the stigma that can come with receiving a diagnosis and pursuing treatment. 

Brian shares his first-hand experience of coming to terms with his PTSD diagnosis, including the challenges of openly discussing mental health and its potential career impacts. Both hosts reflect on the journey from injury to acceptance, the complex emotions that come with it and the reality that Family members are also impacted and require their own supports. 

Key topics 

• Common misconceptions and stigma surrounding PTSD in the Veteran community 
• The importance and difficulty of disclosing a PTSD diagnosis to Family, and the impacts on loved ones and friends 
• Challenges of seeking and engaging in treatment, including health care providers’ understanding of military culture and life 
• The myth of “simple recovery” and the ongoing nature of managing mental health and well-being 
• Strategies for having age-appropriate conversations with kids 
• Acceptance of personal limitations and posttraumatic growth 
• Evolving attitudes about mental health in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) 

Resources 
 

• PTSD and some treatment options: The Atlas Institute’s webpage providing an overview of the causes, symptoms and some treatment options for managing a PTSD diagnosis. 
• For Families: Supporting yourself when your loved one is struggling with a posttraumatic stress injury 
• Resources for Families and friends: Includes information on signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress injuries, potential impacts on Families and coping strategies 
• Public safety personnel (PSP) and posttraumatic stress injuries: Videos, fact sheets and other resources relevant to PSP, current and former military members and their Families. 
• What they see: A collection of real-life stories, videos and audio clips from Canadian military and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans and Families. 
• The psychiatric management of PTSD: A webinar for Veterans and Families 
• Stories from Veterans and Families: Watch digital stories from CAF and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans and Family members, told in their own words. 
• MindKit: MindKit is a mental health hub for military children to learn about mental health and posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs). It was co-created by Atlas and young Family members of Canadian Veterans living with a PTSI. 

Lire en français : https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep37-fr

Hosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna are joined by John Dugas, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran who has dedicated his life to service both in uniform and beyond. John is a certified service dog trainer who pairs Veterans and first responders with specially trained, certified service dogs through his work with Courageous Companions. John also shares about how service dogs have played a role in navigating his own journey with traumatic brain injury.
 
Their conversation highlights the powerful bond between humans and dogs and the life-changing role that compassion, structure and trust can play in recovery. They explore the unique differences between service dogs and pets, and important considerations for Veteran Families thinking about seeking a service dog.

Key topics

• The key differences between a psychiatric service dog and a pet dog
• The benefits and misconceptions about service dogs in mental health treatment
• Realistic expectations on bonding, training and the ongoing commitments of having a service dog
• The importance of timing and readiness for both the Veteran and their Family members
• Navigating public spaces and unexpected interactions related to your service dog
• Guidance and common questions on selecting reputable service dog organizations
• The significant role Family plays alongside the service dog in a Veteran’s healing

 Resources

• Courageous Companions: A Canadian charity that provides quality-trained, certified service dogs to military Veterans and first responders  
• Information about service dogs: Learn how service dogs can help relieve symptoms of operational stress injuries and what defines a service dog
• Veterans Affairs Canada: Evaluating the effectiveness of service dogs for Veterans with PTSD — an information brief from a research study
• Examining changes in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and substance use among a sample of Canadian Veterans working with service dogs: An exploratory patient-oriented longitudinal study, published in the Journal of Veterans Studies
• Royal Canadian Legion: Veterans, mental health and the service dog connection— Read an article advocating for national training standards for service dogs
• Resources for Families and friends: Includes information on signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress injuries, potential impacts on Families and coping strategies

Lire en français ici : atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep36-fr

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna explore the role of creativity and the arts in healing, identity and meaning-making in life after military service. They are joined by Ryan Hawkyard, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran with 20 years of service, who shares how acting and improv became an unexpected but critical part of his recovery following a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis.

Ryan reflects on the challenges many Veterans face when leaving the military, including the loss of structure, purpose and identity, and asks a question so many struggle with: “Who am I if I’m not a soldier?” He shares how creative practices can help Veterans process what they’ve been carrying, reconnect with their humanity and find new ways to express vulnerability without fear of failure.
 
Ryan Hawkyard served 20 years in the CAF and completed three tours in Afghanistan. During that time he was diagnosed with PTSD. After his service, Ryan co-founded Soldiers in the Arts, a program using creativity and performance to help Veterans process trauma, build trust and foster healing. Ryan uses storytelling, acting and his passion for the arts to guide fellow Veterans on their recovery and reintegration journeys.
 
 Key topics

• Identity, purpose and finding meaning after leaving the military
• How embracing vulnerability, creativity and the arts can support healing from trauma
• The power of finding common humanity through storytelling and performance
• The contrast between military culture’s focus on end goals and outcomes, and how the arts encourage being present in the moment
• The differences between acting, authenticity and “putting on a mask” when living with a mental health injury
• Practical ways to get started with the arts, even if you don’t consider yourself creative

 Resources

• Soldiers in the Arts: A transformative platform empowering Veterans and their Families through creative exploration
• Perspectives blog — Hands of purpose: Crafting identity, renewing purpose and bridging worlds
• Veterans Transition Network: A charity that provides free group counselling programs to help Veterans of the CAF and Royal Canadian Mounted Police transition successfully to post-service life
• Watch Grant’s digital story of an adult child of Veterans who found solace in the arts
• Guitars for Vets Canada: A program matching Veterans and still-serving members with PTSD or other service-related injuries with guitars and lessons
• Echo for Life (Ottawa, ON): Music workshop for Veterans of the CAF and RCMP — running from March 25 – May 27, 2026
• Then, I Was A Dragon: Writing from women who have served in the Canadian military
• Resources for Families and friends: Includes information on signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress injuries, potential impacts on Families and coping strategies

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Brian and Laryssa dive into the topic of “biting off more than you can chew” as it relates to Veterans, their Families and those who serve in caregiving roles.
 
Sharing candid stories and personal experiences, they explore how easy it is to become overwhelmed when supporting others while managing your own mental health and the day-to-day challenges that come up. Their conversation highlights the complexity of balancing care for loved ones while maintaining your own personal well-being, and how setting boundaries can feel both necessary but incredibly difficult.

Key topics

• The unique pressures faced by Veterans and their Families around mental health and recovery
• The challenges around supporting others while managing your own mental health
• The importance of boundaries and maintaining a personal “reserve”
• Strategies to empower others to support themselves instead of doing everything for them
• The risks and realities of burnout and compassion fatigue
• The significance of small tasks accumulating into overwhelming responsibilities

Resources

• Hope in hand: Honouring our needs this holiday season
• For Families: Supporting yourself when your loved one is struggling with a posttraumatic stress injury
• Looking after yourself and others — a toolkit of practical information and guidance on suicide prevention for Veteran Families
• Resources for Families and friends — including information on signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress injuries, potential impacts on Families, navigating challenging relationship dynamics and coping strategies
• Peer support program directory — an online directory of peer support programs that are available to Veterans and their Families, searchable by location
• Military sexual trauma: Self-care for Family members — learn about self-care and setting boundaries
• Veteran Family Summit 2026 — January 22 – 23, 2026 

Lire en français : https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep34

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Brian McKenna and Laryssa Lamrock welcome returning guest Ryan Carey — a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran, former Canadian Football League (CFL) player, musician and football coach — for a candid conversation about brain health, traumatic brain injury and life after service.
 
Ryan shares insights from both his military and professional athletic experiences, diving into how repetitive impacts can affect brain function and sharing practical strategies for maintaining brain health. Brian, Laryssa and Ryan also explore the often-overlooked role of Family members and caregivers, the unspoken realities around transition to post-service life and the ongoing evolution in safety practices in the military and in sports. Throughout the discussion they highlight the importance of self-care, solidarity and peer support in navigating both physical and psychological challenges.

Ryan Carey was drafted fourth overall in the 1994 CFL draft and played for five years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He served as an infantry officer in the Royal Canadian Regiment from 2002 to 2016. Ryan is a brain donor and leader of Project Enlist, which brings awareness to head injuries in the military for the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada.

Key topics

• The physical and psychological impacts of repetitive head trauma
• Practical strategies for managing brain health
• Advancements in military and sports organizations' understanding of brain health and adoption of safer practices
• The differences in symptoms between posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury
• Coping with memory loss and changing capabilities after injury
• The importance of communication and support from Family, peers and caregivers

Interested in hearing more about traumatic brain injury? Listen to Ryan’s previous appearance on Mind Beyond the Mission where he first joined Brian and Laryssa to discuss traumatic brain injury and brain health.

Resources

• Resources on traumatic brain injury for Veterans, their Family members and people who work with them
• Traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Concussion Legacy Foundation
• Project Enlist
• Operation Brain Health
• The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
• Brain Injury Canada resource website 

Lire en français ici : https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep33-fr

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, hosts Laryssa Lamrock and Brian McKenna explore the prevalence of sleep issues in the Veteran and Family population and discuss how posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs) can impact sleep. They are joined by special guest Dr. Craig Stewart, a psychiatrist and certified sleep specialist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic, who helps unpack the complex relationship between trauma, sleep and our overall well-being. 

They explore the common challenges Veteran Families face when sleep is disrupted by PTSIs, discuss practical advice for managing sleep issues and highlight new research around sleep health and trauma. 

Dr. Craig P. Stewart, MB BAO BCh, MA, FRCPC is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Interim Medical Director at the St. Joseph’s Health Care London OSI Clinic. He completed a clinical fellowship in sleep medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University, where he serves as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. He holds a master’s degree in behavioural neuroscience from Brock University with a focus on neurophysiological correlates of sleep, with additional research experience in circadian rhythms. He also practises at a community sleep clinic in the greater Toronto area. 

Key topics 

• The impacts of trauma and sleep deprivation on memory and mental health 
• The common differences and similarities in sleep issues between Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans and public safety personnel 
• The long-term physical and mental health consequences of chronic insomnia 
• Nightmares, dream enactment and practical Family strategies to manage sleep disruptions and behaviours 
• How electronic device use and "doom scrolling" affect sleep routines and conditioned arousal 
• Realistic expectations and recovery models for improving sleep after trauma

Resources

• ‘To sleep, perchance to dream’: An overview of common sleep issues, treatments and myths with Dr. Craig Stewart (video) 
• Participate in a study aiming to better understand the prevalence of sleep conditions and challenges among Canadian Veterans and their Families 
• Learn about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and some treatment options 
• Resources on living with PTSIs for public safety personnel and their Families 
• Resources for Families and friends —includes information on signs and symptoms of PTSIs, potential impacts on Families and coping strategies 
• Anxiety Canada: Getting a good night’s sleep 
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Path to better sleep 
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Sleep problems and PTSD 

Lire en français ici : atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep32-fr

Host Laryssa Lamrock and guest co-host Justin Woodcock look at prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with special guest Dr. David Paul, a registered psychologist specializing in trauma treatment for military and public safety personnel.

They unpack the basics of PE, how it specifically helps those living with PTSD and the vital role Families play in supporting a loved one through this sometimes challenging but hopeful therapeutic journey. David addresses common misconceptions and shares practical insights to help Veterans and their loved ones make informed decisions and best prepare themselves for therapy.

David Paul, PhD, R. Psych, is a registered psychologist in private practice in Edmonton, AB. He has specialized in the treatment and assessment of trauma- and stressor-related disorders in military and public safety personnel for most of his career, including in previous positions at the Edmonton OSI Clinic and the Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centre (OTSSC) at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton. He holds a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from McGill University and is certified as a trainer in PE therapy by the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania.

Justin Woodcock is a proud First Nation Veteran and social worker from Opaskwayak Cree Nation. He served from 2009 to 2017 in both the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Navy.

Motivated by the loss of fellow soldiers to PTSD, Justin pursued a career in social work. He now serves as the First Nations Veterans Program Coordinator for the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, leading a program created by and for First Nations Veterans.

Key topics

• What PE therapy is and how it differs from general exposure therapy
• The two main components of PE: imaginal and in vivo exposure
• Why PE is targeted to treat PTSD and typical session durations and structure
• Common misconceptions and fears about PE among Veterans and their Families
• The vital role Family members play and advice for Families with loved ones considering or starting PE therapy
• The differences and unique challenges between treating Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans

Resources

• About prolonged exposure therapy — The Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the Perelman School of Medicine
• Find a certified PE therapist
• Recorded trainings on PE therapy for service providers
• The Centre for Posttraumatic Stress & Anxiety Treatment
• Email list for service providers — sign up to be notified about upcoming no-cost PE training opportunities offered by the Atlas Institute
• Other training opportunities for service providers who work with Veterans and Families
• Join the Atlas Institute’s Evidence-Based Therapy Community of Practice

Lire en français ici : https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep31-fr

In this episode of Mind Beyond the Mission, host Laryssa Lamrock is joined by guest co-host Tarik Kadri and special guest Guy Dallaire for a conversation about the impacts and complexities of vicarious trauma and intergenerational trauma among military and Veteran Families. Guy Dallaire was born into a multigenerational military Family — both his father and grandfather served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Guy served in both the Reserve and Regular Forces until he was medically released with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2020. He is currently researching the impacts of vicarious trauma on adult children of Veterans and first responders.

Guy reflects on how his upbringing in a military Family and his father's service experiences have shaped his own life and mental health. The episode unpacks the far-reaching impacts that trauma can have on Veterans and their Families — even spanning across generations — emphasizing the need for awareness and increased support for affected Families.

Tarik Kadri served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 18 years, retiring as a Captain, Social Work Officer. Tarik is a registered social worker and trauma therapist and a member of the Atlas Institute’s Strategic Reference Group.

Key topics

• The key differences between trauma, vicarious trauma and intergenerational trauma
• The impacts of military service on Families, particularly children
• Guy’s personal experiences and reflections on growing up in a military Family
• Challenges faced by adult children of Veterans and first responders
• Support options and coping mechanisms for dealing with trauma-related issues
• Encouragement and advice for open conversations about mental health within Families

Resources

• Month of the Military Child — stories from military children and resources for parents and caregivers
• Dandelion child: How my military childhood shaped me
• Stories from young Veteran Family members, told in their own voices
• Why Is Daddy Like He Is? A book for kids about PTSD by Patience Mason
• Children’s e-books for military, Veteran and public safety personnel Families
• Making sense of why I am like I am: The journey of adult children of Veterans
• Recordings and materials from previous Veteran Family Summits  

Lire en français ici : https://atl-as.ca/mbtm-ep30-fr

Laryssa Lamrock and guest co-host Staff Sergeant (Ret’d) Gary Hollender are joined by Sheri Lux. Sheri opens up about losing her husband Mike, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer, who died by suicide in 2017.

Sheri shares her journey of healing and self-discovery, providing insights into the unique challenges faced by RCMP Families, the power found in community support, and the importance vulnerability played in healing and processing such a profound loss. Gary discusses his own experiences in the RCMP and they emphasize the need for more open conversations about mental health in the military and Veteran community.

Sheri Lux is an author, entrepreneur, mental health advocate and ambassador for Wounded Warriors Canada. Her memoir Finding My Fire is available for purchase online.

Key topics

• The importance of community support in times of crisis
• Insights into the unique experiences of first responder Families
• The role the arts can play in healing and processing trauma
• How vulnerability can serve as a source of strength
• The impacts mental health challenges can have on Family dynamics
• The importance of open conversations around mental health in the community

Resources

• Suicide prevention for Veterans and Family members
• Military and RCMP Veterans and suicide prevention — a toolkit of practical information and guidance
• Looking after yourself and others — a toolkit of practical information and guidance on suicide prevention for Veteran Families
• A guide for people and Families struggling with suicide — St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
• 9-8-8 — Suicide Crisis Helpline
• Finding My Fire by Sheri Lux

Laryssa Lamrock et son coanimateur invité, le sergent d'état-major (à la retraite) Gary Hollender, sont rejoints par Sheri Lux. Sheri parle ouvertement de la perte de son mari Mike, un agent de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC), qui est décédé par suicide en 2017.

Sheri partage son parcours vers la guérison et la découverte de soi, offrant un aperçu des défis uniques auxquels font face les familles de la GRC, du pouvoir du soutien communautaire et de l'importance de la vulnérabilité dans le processus de guérison et d'acceptation d'une perte aussi profonde. Gary parle de sa propre expérience au sein de la GRC et ils soulignent la nécessité d'avoir des conversations plus ouvertes sur la santé mentale dans la communauté policière, des forces armées et des vétérans.

Sheri Lux est auteure, entrepreneure, militante pour la santé mentale et ambassadrice de Wounded Warriors Canada.