Garnet Families

10/10/2026

World Mental Health Day | October 10
For Garnet families, mental health can be shaped by the realities of service: unpredictable schedules, time apart, transitions, mobility, risk, changing family roles, and the everyday work of keeping family life moving. Family voices and families’ perspectives bring important knowledge. They can help us understand what works, where gaps exist, and what can make a difference.

On this World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that listening means more than hearing a story. It means ensuring family voices inform research, shape resources, influence practice, and guide decisions that affect families.

At Garnet Families, we believe families should not simply be included in conversations about mental health. Their voices and perspectives should help shape the conversation.

Because when we listen to families, we learn more about what they need and what meaningful change can look like.

10/07/2026

We’re excited to see Bryn Bain presenting at CIMVHR Forum 2026!

Bryn will be sharing research on Canadian Armed Forces members’ perspectives on health and healthcare resources after military-to-civilian transition. We hope to see you there!

10/01/2026

Dr. Heidi Cramm will be presenting research on military-to-civilian transition trajectories at CIMVHR Forum 2026! We hope to see you there.

09/11/2026

25 years later, we remember.

We remember the first responders who ran toward danger on September 11, 2001.

We remember the Canadian Armed Forces members and other military personnel who served in the years that followed, and those who never returned home.

We also remember the families. The loved ones who lived with the uncertainty of service, the worry of waiting, and, for some, the unimaginable loss of someone they loved.

Today, we honour those who served. We remember those we lost. We hold their families in our thoughts.

09/10/2026

For military, veteran, first responder and public safety families, changing the narrative in su***de prevention means making space for the things that are often left unspoken. 

Families may carry worry, uncertainty, loneliness, or concern for someone they love. They may also experience difficult moments that are not always easy to put into words. 

On World Su***de Prevention Day, we recognize that families matter in su***de prevention, not because they are responsible for preventing su***de, but because they are people who are affected, who deserve care, information, and a place in the conversation. 

We’re grateful for the organizations that walk alongside these families, including:
Canada Beyond The Blue
Badge Of Life Canada
Wounded Warriors Canada
Wings of Change
Boots On The Ground

Their work makes a difference.

07/17/2026

We’re honoured to contribute to Canadian Firefighter Magazine’s recent article about why family well-being must be part of the conversation around public safety personnel’s mental health. These careers affect not only those serving but also their children, parents, and loved ones who face many challenges.

A special thanks to PSPNET Canada and PSPNET Families for their important work providing mental health resources.

Check out the full article:

How can evidence-based resources support the “silent frontline” by providing public safety families with the tools they need to navigate operational stress and build lasting resilience?

06/19/2026

This has been a heavy time for many public safety families.

For those feeling the weight of recent losses, grief, worry, or the cumulative stress of loving someone in public safety, there are supports available. These resources may be helpful for spouses, partners, family members, and loved ones who are carrying that extra emotional load.

PSPNET Canada - Spouse or Significant Other Wellbeing Course
A free online course that may be helpful for spouses or significant others in public safety families who are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or emotional strain.

Badge of Life Canada - Family Peer Support
Offers online peer support for family members every other Wednesday evening. The next session is June 24.

Canada Beyond The Blue - Virtual Call & Connect
Offers monthly virtual connection opportunities for police families. The next national family connect call is July 7.

Wounded Warriors Canada - Spousal Resiliency Program
A program designed to support spouses and partners of public safety personnel. The program has recently received funding to expand to an online option, with rolling enrolment.

Wings of Change - Peer Support - Family Meetings
Offers a virtual family meet-up at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is July 14.

Please check in on the people around you, especially those connected to this community. Small moments of care can mean a lot.

04/29/2026

These photos are more than memories, they are the moments that shaped our community 💙

04/28/2026

In case you missed it 👇
As part of the Garnet Families Interactive Series, we were honoured to host Drs. Heidi Cramm, Christine Genest, and Margaret Campbell for “Bringing Families into the Frame: Where do Garnet Families fit in su***de prevention?”
This conversation encouraged a broader perspective on su***de prevention by recognizing families not only as risk or protective factors, but as people who also need support, care, and attention.
🎥 Watch the full session at the link below.
https://youtu.be/pcKZjZTyRug

04/10/2026

April is the Month of the Military Child 💜
At Garnet Families, we recognize the strength of children in military families and the unique experiences they navigate. Their experiences matter, their voices matter, and their stories deserve to be seen.