The Five Eyes Mental Health Research and Innovation Collaboration (Five Eyes MHRIC) brings together thought leaders from five nations – Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom – to advance common research priorities and develop policy by presenting findings to the Five Eyes Ministers. The collaboration was initiated by CIMVHR and Phoenix Australia: Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health at the 2018 Australian Invictus Games.

On June 17, 2021, Five Eyes held a virtual collaborative meeting, hosted by CIMVHR and Phoenix Australia. Members participated in a roundtable discussion before listening to presentations on two group papers: “Military Related PTSD: The Way Forward” and “Pathways to Mental Health Care” from Dr. David Pedlar, Scientific Director at CIMVHR, and Dr. Deniz Fikretoglu, Defence Scientist at Defence Research and Development Canada.

The Five Eye group confirmed that work on advancing the well-being of military and Veteran families will be a high priority with intent to complete a group blog or paper in 2023. Professor Andrea Phelps, Deputy Director, Phoenix Australia, presented a new paper on moral injury in development by Australia’s members. Dr. Pedlar and Professor David Forbes, Director, Phoenix Australia, closed the meeting with a discussion on next steps and future developments.

Five Eyes MHRIC members also met virtually on February 23, 2022, for the group’s first roundtable session. Representatives from all five countries attended, discussing military, Veteran, and family health research priorities and accomplishments in their nations. Additionally, the group focused discussions on the knowledge translation and mobilization potential of the Five Eyes MHRIC, as well as future opportunities to promote the group’s efforts on a global scale.