Grant: Catalyst Grant: Cannabis and Mental Health - Veterans

Approximately 9% of US military veterans have used cannabis in the past 12-months (Davis et al., 2018). US veterans with cannabis problems are more likely to seek treatment mental health problems (Ecker et al., 2020). Similar information about Canadian veterans is unknown. However, people who use cannabis are generally more likely to use other substances and to have mental disorders (Hasin, 2016). In addition, child abuse history and deployment-related traumatic events (DRTEs) among Canadian Forces members are related to suicidal thoughts and mental disorders (Afifi, et al., 2016; Afifi, under review). The health and well-being of male and female veterans in Canada can be improved by better understanding of how child maltreatment history and DRTEs are related to using cannabis and if cannabis use is related to an increased likelihood of other substance use, having mental disorders, suicidal behaviour (i.e., thoughts, plans, attempts), and seeking help for mental health problems. The proposed research is designed to determine: 1) the prevalence of past year cannabis use in a sample of male and female Canadian veterans; 2) if child maltreatment history and DRTEs are related to an increased likelihood of cannabis use among male and female veterans; 3) the association between past-year cannabis use on other substance use, mental disorders, suicidal behaviour, and perceived need for mental health treatment, help seeking for mental health problems, and barriers to mental health care; and 4) how child abuse history, DRTEs, and co-occurring mental health conditions may change the relationships between cannabis use and perceived need for treatment, help seeking for mental health problems, and barriers to mental health care. The team are experts in mental health, veterans' health, substance use, trauma, and child maltreatment. Data will be used to improve mental health outcomes for veterans by informing policy and clinical practice.