Navigating the aftermath: Understanding the support needs of Veteran crewmen and their families decades after trauma

Research examining the needs of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans often focus on mental health and combat experiences post-Afghanistan. However, studies examining the well-being, long-term health, and support needs of Veterans and military spouses following non-combat traumatic incidents are less common. To address this gap, we examined the well-being, health, and support needs of Veteran crewmen and military spouses two decades after Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Chicoutimi submarine fire.

We conducted qualitative in-depth, semi-structured interviews with surviving crewmen, Care and Custody Team (CCT), and spouses involved in the HMCS Chicoutimi submarine fire to gather multiple perspectives on the long-term impacts of this traumatic incident. Template analysis was used to identify key themes.

We identified five common themes: 1) peri-incident experiences, 2) long-term well-being, 3) access to care, 4) coping, and 5) purpose. Results suggested a variety of long-term physical health issues and mental health symptoms that had a negative effect on Veteran crewmens' well-being and the well-being of their spouses. The study showcased how each population perceived support - or the lack thereof - from the CAF organization, Canadian Forces Health Services, and individuals (e.g., family, peers, and colleagues); it highlighted distinct coping strategies used by crewmembers, the CCT, and their spouses.

As the first study to examine long-term effects of trauma on CAF Veteran crewmen who experienced a disaster at sea, the study offers novel insights into the evolving care needs of Veterans, highlighting trauma's impact on aging Veterans and their spouses over two decades.