Colin Mason is an 18 year Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) veteran who deployed to Afghanistan in 2008, and several commemorative locations in Europe throughout his career.  He was medically released from the CAF in 2021, and is currently the Acting Regional Coordinator for Southern Ontario for the Operational Stress Injury Social Support program.

Dr. Cyd Courchesne (OMM, CD1, MD, MCFP, DAVMED, CHE (Captain (Navy) retired) retired from the Canadian Armed Forces after 30 years of service before joining the Department of Veterans Affairs as Chief Medical Officer in 2014. Dr. Courchesne is a General Practitioner who obtained her Doctor of Medicine from Université de Montréal in 1987.  She also holds a Diploma in Aviation Medicine from Kings College University, London, England, and a Master Certificate in Healthcare Management from the Sprott School of Business. She has been a surveyor for Accreditation Canada for 21 years and is a Canadian College of Health Leaders’ Certified Health Executive.    

Throughout her career, Dr. Courchesne held a number of senior medical positions responsible for leading multidisciplinary Primary Care clinics at Canadian Forces Bases to being responsible for Medical Policy and the delivery of Primary Care for the Canadian Forces across the country. She is currently responsible for the management of all Health Professionals at the Department of Veterans Affairs, for the management of Mental Health Support and Services for Veterans, and for overseeing the management of two new Centres of Excellence funded by Veterans Affairs Canada: the Atlas Institute ( a Centre of Excellence on PTSD and related mental health conditions) and the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Veterans.  In 2023 Dr Courchesne was named VAC’s Champion of 2SLGBTQI+ and of Women’s Health. 

Julie Drury is the Director Mental Health for Veterans Affairs Canada. Julie is responsible for leading clinical mental health expertise within VAC, and for the delivery of a comprehensive continuum of mental health care program and services for Veteran clients. Her current focus is on access to mental health programs that meet the needs of Veterans where and how they would like to access care and support – with a strong emphasis on digital, virtual and e-Mental Health initiatives. 

Julie has held several policy and program leadership roles across the Canadian federal government, provincial government, and as a patient partner consultant to national and international organizations. She is passionate about building and leading intersectoral partnerships and teams in health care program and policy, system design, innovation & improvement.

Dr. Jean-Bernard Dupuy is the Operational Stress Injury National Network Manager and National Clinical Coordinator for the Directorate of Mental Health in the Health Professionals Division of Veterans Affairs Canada. An experienced psychologist for 22 years, Dr. Dupuy holds a master’s degree in science from the Psychiatry Department of McGill University and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Laval University. 

Dr. Dupuy has worked in a variety of key positions for the Department of National Defense and Veterans Affairs Canada, gaining in-depth experience in the assessment and treatment of operational stress injuries and comorbid disorders affecting current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP. In 2018, the Department awarded him an Award of Excellence for Service, Compassion and Respect in recognition of his work with Veterans.