Introduction

(He) loved his job. He was a high achiever, top performer, a rising star in the military. It was no different during deployment: He had a rep for being the best. A real leader. It was only after he got back that things started changing. He didn’t know how to relate to people, he wasn’t motivated to push himself. He had no idea of how to make sense of what was happening. And, neither did I. - Family Member

You are likely looking at this resource because someone you care about is a Veteran. You may be a family member, a colleague or a close friend. The nature of a career in the service means exposure to very difficult, often traumatic events, leaving many Veterans with layers of loss and grief. As a spouse or family member, you are also impacted by life in the service and the effect that it has had on the person you care about.

When I went home, I couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t close my eyes. I slept on the couch with the TV on for the white noise for several days. I didn’t know what I was supposed to be doing, or how I was supposed to be feeling, or how I was supposed to be handling it. – RCMP Veteran

In this topic, you will learn:

• To identify behaviour by the Veteran that may suggest they are experiencing grief and perhaps trauma.
• Helpful ways to support the Veteran through grief as well as things to avoid saying and doing.
• The importance of caring for yourself as you care for others and ways to do so.