Maya Eichler, Defence Academic
Photo Credit: Mount Saint Vincent University
Esprit de Corps Magazine September 2022 // Volume 29 Issue 8
Let's Talk About Women in the Military – Column 42
By Military Woman
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 memorialization 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
Care at Home Resources – resources to help Veterans stay in their homes
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 resource
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.
Update:
2022: SMRC name change to SMSRC.
2024: Togetherall was closed March 29. The long awaited OSISS equivalent CAF/DND/VAC peer support program for those impacted by MST and their families, is still under consultation and going through pilots.
