Question: Are there any new Veteran-related resources and groups?
Answer: Yes, there is an ever-growing number of Veteran-related resources and groups. Unfortunately, there is no way (that we are aware of) to keep up to date with them all.
There is also no Canadian oversight mechanism to ensure they are all safe, effective, and inclusive of all Veterans. So, please consider this alphabetized list as a sharing of information rather than an endorsement of the resources listed. In fact, you are encouraged to do your own due diligence in checking out the links below.
Speaking of links, if you are reading this right now from a hardcopy version of this column you may prefer to go to the hyperlinked digital version which is available to you at http://espritdecorps.ca/military-woman.
Here we go !
Assistance helplines – open 24/7/365
· Family Information Line – 1-800-866-4546 and hearing impaired 1-800-567-5803
· Hope for Wellness Help Line – 1-855-242-3310
· Lifespeak – online app health and support self-education tool from Health Canada
· Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) – 1-844-750-1648
· VAC Assistance Service – 1-800-268-7708 and hearing impaired 1-833-921-0071
Diversity related resources
· Black Canadian Veterans Stories – A Legacy Voices Canada 150 Project
· Center for Minority Veterans – research and statistics from US Veterans Affairs
· LGBT Purge Fund – reconciliation and memorialisation projects for impacted Veterans
· National Association of Friendship Centres – Indigenous appropriate services
· Rainbow Veterans of Canada – a safe space for people who identify as LGBTQ2+
· Women and Gender Diverse Veterans – Dr. Maya Eichler’s testimony on January 18, 2022 before the NS Legislature’s Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs
Fitness related resources
· CF Appreciation Recreation – Veteran specific discount list for activities
· Defence Fitness – online individualized fitness programs
· Soldier On – introductory and competitive physical programs for injured Veterans
· Warrior Games – organized by the US Department of Defense
Health and wellbeing related resources
· Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families – previously known as the “Centre of Excellence on PTSD and Related Mental Health Conditions”
· BSO Legion OSI – peer support for OSIs or other mental health affected Veterans
· Caregiver Zone – free online resources and coaching for caregivers of Veterans
· Center for Women Veterans – US Veterans Affairs educational materials
· Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans – a VAC-funded resource for information and access to nation-wide interdisciplinary pain clinics
· Mental Health First Aid for the Veteran Community – a course offered to Veterans, families, and caregivers, to better understand and support mental health issues
· Military Exposures and Your Health – US Veterans Affairs educational materials
· National Center for PTSD – US Veterans Affairs educational materials
· Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinics – VAC-funded national network of clinics used to diagnose, support, and treat service-related Veteran mental health conditions.
· OSI Connect – a VAC-funded OSI self-education and symptom management app
· OSISS Peer Support Network Program – to support those impacted by OSIs
· Respect in the CAF – an app providing CAF sexual misconduct resources
· Road to Mental Readiness – a training tool app to support mental health
· Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) – DND-funded supports and information open to all Veterans, serving military members and DND employees to use
· Togetherall – online peer support program for those impacted by sexual misconduct
· Tubman-Chaplain Network – matching women chaplains with servicewoman in need
· US Veterans Affairs app store – free self-help tools and educational apps for Veterans
· Wounded Warriors PTSD Service Dog Program – proposed national standards
Insecurity related resources
· Legion – assistance for Veteran’s finances, housing insecurity and VAC claims
· Soldiers Helping Soldiers – connecting homeless Veterans to those who will help
· VAC’s Veterans Emergency Fund – up to $2,500 to cover emergency financial needs
· VETS Canada – offering on the ground Veteran emergency transition services
Military-to-civilian transition related resources
· CAF Transition Group Transition Guide – a downloadable guide with many resources
· The Pepper Pod – Transition Lifeshops ™ for women
· Veteran Family Program – VAC-funded access for medically releasing members to a Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) based coordinator
· Veterans Transition Network (VTN) – transition courses, programs, and peer support
What did we miss this time around? Please feel free to share with us your own suggested resources in the “Comments” section of the hyperlinked online column.
