Topic 4
Real stories from people like you
Stories can offer hope and help you know you aren’t alone in your experiences. Check out these stories of other young Family members of Veterans from across Canada, told in their own voices.
These stories touch upon some the topics covered on this website, like what it’s like to live with a posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) in your Family and ways you can look after your own mental health.
As you watch each video, think about your own experience. Have you seen, felt or heard any of the same things or had the same stuff happen to you? Does anything make you stop and think “Wait, that sounds like my life”? What is different? Keep your eye out for any tools or strategies used to overcome difficult situations too. These may be helpful in your own life!
Check out each video to learn more about their story! Click Questions to consider for some guiding questions that are specific to each story.
Ashton
It can be tough to talk about mental health challenges, but the results may light a spark of hope. Ashton speaks about some of the hurdles he experienced after joining a military Family and highlights the importance of vulnerability, honesty and choices in overcoming these hurdles.
Cameron
Sometimes, the weight of responsibility can fall on young people in Families impacted by PTSI. Cameron speaks about growing up in a military home and feeling the need to look after, protect and support his Family, as well as learning the importance of looking after yourself.
Jennifer
How can you find your peace when living with PTSI in your Family brings up challenging emotions? Jennifer shares some of the effects of dealing with her dad’s experience with PTSI, such as anger, resentment and relationship difficulties, as well as her path to forgiveness.
Samantha
The challenges of having a Family member with PTSI can include dealing with the expectations you face from others — and even yourself. Samantha shares her experience of growing up with a dad with PTSD, including the reactions of others, and speaks to learning two important messages about being a kid: there’s nothing to fix and it’s not her responsibility to heal her dad.
Stephanie
What do you do when life isn’t going how you expected because of a loved one’s injury? Stephanie shares her experience of getting her driver’s licence and the roles and responsibilities that came with it in supporting her Family, as well as the importance of finding ways to move forward.
Tristan
Kids can teach their parents important life lessons too. Tristan speaks to his experience of wanting to spend more time with his dad growing up, highlighting the unexpected ways he was able to encourage him in his mental health journey and the value of taking time to understand others.
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