Organizations that Support First Responders and Military Personnel

 

BADGE OF LIFE CANADA
http://badgeoflifecanada.com/  An organization and website for PTSD and trauma survivors.

 

BELLWOOD HEALTH SERVICES 
http://www.bellwood.ca/  Bellwood Health Services is a Centre of Excellence and an internationally recognized leader in evidence-based treatment of addiction and mental health problems.

 

BLUE PAPER
Results from a review conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Regina have shown that there is an urgent need for more research on the effectiveness of peer support and crisis-focused psychological intervention programs designed to help First Responders — police, paramedics, and fire and rescue personnel — cope with the trauma often associated with their work. The Blue Paper was published by a research team led by Dr. Shadi Beshai and Dr. R. Nicholas Carleton with the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT). The “operational stressors” that First Responders regularly confront at work, including death, violence, and threats to their own lives, put them at risk for psychological challenges, including post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and anger. Such challenges can lead to other problems, such as substance abuse, relationship difficulties, and absenteeism…. see more:  http://www.justiceandsafety.ca/rsu_docs/blue_paper_full_web_final_production_aug_16_2016.pdf

 

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION   
http://www.suicideprevention.ca  The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) was incorporated in 1985 by a group of professionals who saw the need to provide information and resources to communities to reduce the suicide rate and minimize the harmful consequences of suicidal behaviour.

 

CANADIAN FORCES MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CFMAP) 1-800-268-7708
providing confidential counseling services for Canadian Forces Members – marital, family, addictions, parenting, finance or stress related subjects.  http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/services/health/mental-health

 

CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
http://cmha.ca/  As a nation-wide, voluntary organization, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. The CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research and service.

 

CAN PRAXIS/VETERANS AND PTSD
Horse Program  http://canpraxis.com/ While the Canadian Forces uses team building, communications training and leadership development to prepare soldiers for war, Can Praxis uses horses to help soldiers recover from it and regain their family relationships.

 

CANADIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION  
http://cpa.ca/  The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) is the voluntary professional organization representing psychology.  Psychologists and psychological associates have expertise in treating PTSD, operational stress injuries, mood disorders and other mental health issues impacting those in correctional, emergency and military services.

 

CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH
http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/Pages/home.aspx  is Canada’s largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world’s leading research centres in the area of addiction and mental health. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues.

 

CENTRE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION 
http://www.suicideinfo.ca/ A branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, CSP is an education centre with the largest English language library dedicated to the collection and dissemination of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention resources.

 

THE CODE GREEN CAMPAIGN
http://codegreencampaign.org/ Our primary goal is raising awareness of the high rates of mental health issues, substance abuse and suicide among first responders. Our secondary goal is providing education for responders on how to provide care for themselves and recognize issues in their peers.

 

 

DRUG REHAB
http://drugrehab.com has a mission to equip patients and families with information, resources and tools to overcome addiction and lead a lifelong recover.  American based site.

 

FAMILY FORCE
http://www.familyforce.ca a go to website with amazing video content to support family realities associated to mental health and social wellness.

 

FAMILY INFORMATION LINE 1-800-866-4546
As the loved one of a Canadian Armed Forces member, you can contact for any support you may need as a result of the unique nature of military life, including mental health issues.

HOMEWOOD HEALTH CENTRE
Calgary http://www.homewoodhealth.com/individuals/private-addiction-mental-health-treatment-calgary or in Edmonton http://www.homewoodhealth.com/individuals/private-addiction-mental-health-treatment-edmonton –  Homewood Health Centre is a leader in mental health and addiction treatment, providing specialized psychiatric services to our First Responders and Military Personnel.

 

KIDS HELP PHONE 
http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/ A pioneering and world-leading child and youth counselling service, Kids Help Phone changes and saves lives daily. Canada’s go-to mental health counselling resource for youth aged 5 to 20. Available via internet and phone 24/7 when guidance offices are closed, when family is not around and when social service agencies don’t operate. One-on-one all professional, confidential and anonymous counselling. Providing information and referrals into local communities right across Canada.

LANGARA COLLEGE
http://langara.ca/continuing-studies/programs-and-courses/programs/resilience/ Langara College includes strategic resilience for First Responders – resilience and trauma focused courses including modern neuroscience theory with resilience based mind and body insights.

 

LEGACY PLACE SOCIETY
https://canadianwebsitesolutions.com/legacy The very nature of the daily work within the professions of Peace Officer, Fire Fighter, Emergency Medical Services, 911 Dispatch and Military can create emotional and physical havoc with trauma and stress injuries on the individual and the family.  Various resources include emergency housing, benevolence and peer support.

 

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST
http://www.llttf.ca/about-the-course/  A national, flagship program of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

 

MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA
http://mentalhealthcommission.ca/  The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is a catalyst for improving the mental health system and changing the attitudes and behaviours of Canadians around mental health issues. Through its unique mandate from Health Canada, the MHCC brings together leaders and organizations from across the country to accelerate these changes.

 

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/  A program designed to help individuals identify and manage mental health problems in themselves and others.

 

MENTAL HEALTH WORKS
http://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/ Mental Health Works is a national program of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) that builds capacity within Canadian workplaces to effectively address the many issues related to mental health in the workplace.

 

MILITARY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRES  
ttp://www.familyforce.ca/ MFRCs provide military families with information, resources and services in Canadian Forces communities.

 

NATIONAL SERVICE DOGS  
http://www.nsd.on.ca/about/ National Service Dogs is dedicated to enriching the quality of life and enhancing the independence of individuals living with special needs by providing them with specially trained dogs.

 

NORTH AMERICAN FIRE FIGHTER VETERAN NETWORK  
http://firefighterveteran.com/  A resource website and crisis line for fire fighters and other first responders experiencing mental health issues.

 

OPERATIONAL STRESS INJURY SUPPORT 
http://osiss.ca/ OSISS offer information and support for Military Members and Veterans who have served and their friends and families.

 

OPERATIONAL STRESS INJURY SUPPORT FOR THE CAREGIVER  http://caregiverresource.theroyal.ca/story_html5.html?lms=1 This is a great resource to navigate thru for Military Members, Veterans and First Responders and their caregivers.

 

PEER SUPPORT GUIDELINES  http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/peer_support_guidelines.pdf.pdf This will link you to the Canadian Mental Health Commission of Canada peer support guidelines.

 

PTSD COACH ONLINE 
ttp://ptsd/va/gov/apps/ptsdcoachonline/ PTSD Coach Online is for anyone who needs help with upsetting feelings.  Trauma survivors, their families or anyone coping with stress can benefit.

 

PUBLIC SAFETY CANADA
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/ Public Safety Canada was created in 2003 to ensure coordination across all federal departments and agencies responsible for national security and the safety of Canadians.

ROAD TO MENTAL READINESS (R2MR)
http://www.forces.gc.ca critical information over viewing the mental health continuum with assistance to mitigate negative long term mental health problems for individuals and families.

 

SAFE CALL NOW 
http://safecallnow.org/ Safe Call Now is a resource for public safety employees to speak confidentially with officers, former law enforcement officers, public safety professionals and/or mental healthcare providers who are familiar with your line of work. American based site.

 

SERVE AND PROTECT 
http://serveprotect.org/ The Serve & Protect mission is to be an emotional and spiritual resource supporting those needs for Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue/EMT, Dispatch, Corrections, and their families throughout the United States and beyond.  Serve & Protect serves as the central hub, a catalyst for affiliated organizations through which it supports those in criminal justice and emergency services through our core services including a 24/7/365 Crisis Line, Chaplain Alliance, and Alliance of Mental Health Therapists.  American base site.

 

STABLE GROUNDS 
Home away from home in Ontario for First Responders dealing with PTSD.

 

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
SFU provides great courses available to help First Responders in the area of Trauma Management, Trauma Prevention and Post Traumatic Stress.

 

STRENGTHENING THE FORCES
http://cfgateway.com Maintaining a high level of health improves one’s ability to perform effectively and safely.  This information speaks to addictions awareness/prevention, injury prevention/active living, nutritional wellness and social wellness.

 

TEMA 
http://www.tema.ca/ A website which is “a hub of research, training and education dealing with PTSD and operational stress injuries”.

 

THE MINDS THE MATTER, YOUTH WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA AND INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS THROUGH EMPOWERING PEERS
http://familyforce.ca/EN/Pages/OSI/ an abundance of great interactive videos while primarily targeted to military families, are very relevant to all First Responder Families too.

 

THE VANIER INSTITUTE OF THE FAMILY
http://vanierinstitute.ca Is an independent, national, bilingual, non-profit organization committed to promoting the well-being of Canadian families. The Institute was established in 1965 under the patronage of Their Excellencies Governor General Georges P. Vanier and Madame Pauline Vanier.

 

WORKING MINDS SUICIDE PREVENTION IN THE WORKPLACE
http://workingminds.org/ Vision includes having a community of workplaces eliminating the devastating impact of suicide at work and beyond.