HUNDREDS OF DOCTORS AND GENERALS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY GATHERED IN KINGSTON TONIGHT TO DISCUSS MILITARY AND VETERAN HEALTH. THE THREE DAY FORUM LOOKS AT ADVANCES IN RESEARCH AND MEDICINE OVER THE LAST YEAR. NEWSWATCH'S STEPHANIE WILKINS WAS THERE.

Military and Civilians alike mingled at the opening reception for the 3rd annual Canadian Military and Veteran Health Research Forum.

"This is the event every year that brings everyone together to move forward the research agenda that's going to affect the lives of Military personnel, Veterans and their families in the near future."

Great strides have been made by the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research, ten new university partnerships have been added Nationally growing from 16 to 26 over the past twelve months. The Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay was a guest speaker.

 "I'm reminded in this bicentennial year that we had a Military before we had a country."

Stressing the importance of the clinical analysis and partnerships that are coming together.

"You feel the energy, you feel the progress that is happening, and people are rededicating themselves to this effort."

However, the research can only go so far, there are many barriers that still need to be broken down.

Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence:

"The stigma that is attached to identifying yourself as someone who is suffering from a mental health injury or an issue that has to be addressed and so a lot of this is about public education."

"Have we done enough? No not yet I don't feel like I'm finished my work. We have to have this institute growing so that the research community recognises that Veterans and their families are a special population, that have special research needs."

"The forum runs until November 28th and includes sessions on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and returning to civilian life. Showcasing the work done over the past year and creating partnerships for years to come. Stephanie Wilkins, CKWS Newswatch Kingston."