Atlas Institute and Canadian Legacy Project Unveil Groundbreaking Research on Women Veterans' Transitions

The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, in partnership with the Canadian Legacy Project, has released a comprehensive report titled "Insights on Transition and Adjustment for Women Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces" on March 2, 2026. This study sheds light on the unique hurdles faced by Canadian women veterans during their shift from military to civilian life, highlighting mental health struggles, past traumas, and service gaps. Drawing from responses by 170 women veterans, the findings underscore the need for tailored, trauma-informed supports to ease these transitions.

Women have served in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) since 1885, initially in nursing roles, but full integration into combat positions occurred only in the late 1980s. Today, they represent about 16% of CAF personnel, yet their post-service experiences remain under-researched compared to male counterparts. This report addresses that gap, revealing how gender-specific issues like harassment amplify transition difficulties.

Study Methodology: Capturing Lived Experiences Through Rigorous Survey Design

The research employed an online, self-report survey distributed via Qualtrics from October 2024 to May 2025, approved by the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group Research Ethics Board. Participants—170 women veterans honourably discharged from the CAF and living in Canada—received a CAN$50 gift card incentive. The average respondent was 54 years old with 20 years of service, predominantly white (88.2%), cisgender (98.8%), and from Ontario or British Columbia.

Validated tools measured sociodemographics, military history, transition stressors, adjustment (on a scale from very easy to very difficult), mental and physical health, workplace discrimination, sexual harassment (using the Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory-2K), and service use. Open-ended questions captured qualitative insights. Analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to compare easy versus difficult adjustment groups (p < .05). Lived expertise was central, with a CAF veteran co-investigator and the Athena Project Working Group guiding design and interpretation.

Over Two-Thirds Report Difficult Military-to-Civilian Adjustment

A staggering 66.8% of respondents described their adjustment as moderately (47.3%) or very (19.5%) difficult, compared to just 17.1% finding it moderately or very easy. Key stressors included daily living with mental health conditions (67.1% extreme stress), lack of civilian understanding (60.9%), and accessing mental health care (52.4%). Employment worries affected 84.4% with difficult adjustments, while financial insecurity stressed 73%.

"During my experience, it felt like I was discarded and a burden while trying to clear out of the service," one participant shared, echoing feelings of isolation. Medically released veterans (48.8% of sample) were overrepresented in the difficult group (62.8%).

Mental Health Emerges as Central Barrier in Transitions

Mental health diagnoses were prevalent: 49.4% PTSD, 44.7% anxiety disorders, 26.5% mood disorders, and 20% sleep disorders—far exceeding general population rates (PTSD 2.4%, mood/anxiety 18.1% in Canadian women). Self-rated mental health was good/excellent for only 39.1%, with 60% reporting worse health post-service. Difficult adjusters had 76.8% fair/poor mental health versus 28.6% in the easy group.

Principal Investigator Dr. Kate Hill MacEachern noted, "More than 60% reported a difficult adjustment... with PTSD and anxiety the most diagnosed." These issues compound transition stress, linking to higher suicide risk (twice that of civilian women per 2019 VAC study).

Photo by Adam Boukhris on Unsplash

Prevalent Harassment and Discrimination During Service

One in three (31.7%) endured forced sexual activity at least once, with 87.6% facing crude remarks and 72.4% negative rumours. Monthly discrimination included working twice as hard (71.2%), being ignored (56.2%), and ethnic slurs (41.5% from coworkers). Those with difficult adjustments reported higher exposure (e.g., 81.4% unwanted touching). Military sexual trauma affects 44.6% of CAF women overall, per prior data, eroding trust in post-service systems.

• 87.6% experienced crude/offensive sexual remarks at least once.
• 72.2% unwanted touching/advances.
• 71.2% felt compelled to overwork monthly due to gender bias.

These traumas correlate with poorer mental health and adjustment, as per U.S. parallels showing links to PTSD and chronic pain.

Service Utilization: High VAC Use but Gaps Persist

88.8% accessed Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) services, primarily disability benefits (67.5%) and pensions (65.3%); 55.9% used six or more. 52.4% tapped not-for-profits like Soldier On (32.9%). However, barriers like geography and male-centric designs limit uptake. 61.2% seek better mental health therapy access, 58.2% physical health programs.Read the full report.

From the Canadian Legacy Project's Warrioress initiative, 67% face financial woes post-service, aligning with this report's stressors.

Factors Shaping Positive and Difficult Transitions

Easy adjustments correlated with voluntary release (69.6%), higher rank/education/income, age over 55, and no mental health diagnoses. Difficult ones tied to medical release, PTSD/anxiety, discrimination, and harassment. For instance, 61.9% of PTSD-diagnosed reported difficult adjustment versus 23.2% without.

• Voluntary release: Easier for 69.6%.
• Higher income (>$90K): 45.9% overall, more in easy group.
• No harassment: 89.1% easy adjustment for no forced sex.

Higher education aids resilience; veterans pursuing further studies report better outcomes, linking to resources like higher education career advice.

Recommended Solutions: Trauma-Informed, Women-Centric Supports

Women veterans prioritize: mental health counselling (61.2%), women-only groups (68.8%), virtual delivery (67.1%), and peer mentorship. Programs must be trauma-informed and psychologically safe. The Canadian Legacy Project is launching peer support with weekly online sessions.

"More peer support, women-with-women groups where we share... in a safe space," one respondent urged. VAC and not-for-profits should evaluate gender-responsive features and fund flexible options with childcare.

Photo by Iyus sugiharto on Unsplash

Expert Perspectives and Broader Implications

Co-Investigator Tabitha Beynen affirmed, "It confirms what I have heard from other women Veterans." Dr. Sara Rodrigues hopes it spurs "additional research and programming." Aligning with VAC data showing women veterans' higher physical/mental issues and suicide risk, this bolsters calls for equity.VAC Women Veterans Research.

Implications extend to policy: enhance CAF transition prep, VAC benefits awareness, and community integration. For career shifts, platforms like higher ed jobs and Canadian academic opportunities offer veteran-friendly paths.

Future Outlook: Paving Pathways for Thriving Women Veterans

Longitudinal studies and program evaluations are urged to track long-term outcomes. With rising CAF releases (~9,000/year) and women at 16%, investing in supports could cut poor adjustment rates (up from 32% in 2016 to 39% in 2019). Peer programs, university partnerships for retraining, and academic CV tips empower transitions.

Explore Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, and career advice for veterans eyeing academia. This research positions Canada to lead in veteran well-being.