Creating a discussion around the purpose and value of PEER SUPPORT.

The following is a statement from Recovery Innovations located out of Phoenix, AZ.:

“When peers begin to work in the mental health system, recovery is accelerated in three ways.

● The peer’s own recovery is strengthened.

● The peer helps others recover.

● The peers help the agency and/or the system recover as a SHARED EXPERIENCE

GIFTS THAT ARE THE FRUIT OF A LIVED EXPERIENCE

● First, there is a sense of gratitude that is manifested in compassion and commitment.

● Second, there is an insight into the experience of internalized stigma.

● Third, peers address the “you do not know what it’s like” feeling in their peers.

● Fourth, they have had the experience of moving from hopelessness to hope.

● Fifth, they are in a unique position to develop a relationship of trust with their peers.

● Sixth, they have developed the gift of monitoring their illness and managing their lives holistically, both mind and body.

The above was taken from Prairies to Peaks Consulting, Inc. Peer Support Training Manual

Peer Support Group Leader, Leigh.

Our mission is to inspire hope and contribute to the continuous well-being and recovery process of Veterans and Front Line Protectors across Canada.

We seek to empower and encourage them to strive for recovery through peer and professional support while creating greater public awareness.

We at OSI-CAN do not see PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a Disorder, we see it as an Injury you can recover from. If you are suffering from the symptoms of an Occupational or Operational Stress Injury, then a PTSD or PTSI diagnosis is not required to get our help

The target demographic of OSI-CAN are but are not limited to: former and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Allied Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Frontline Protectors --- which include Municipal Police Services, CN Police Services, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Protection Services, Wildland Firefighters, Hospital Trauma personnel, Nurses, healthcare Workers, Social Workers, Animal Control Officers, Coroners, Indigenous Emergency Management, Victim Services Personnel, Emergency Communications Specialist, Corrections Officers, “Volunteer” First Responders, Conservation Officers, Aboriginal Emergency Services personnel, Tow Truck drivers who clean up accident scenes and their spouses/partners. This demographic was chosen due to the commonality of experiences they share through the service they provide to the country and community. We have a special interest and support volunteer first responders as they are not eligible for programs such as Workers' Compensation.

Addictions and OSI’s, which do you treat first?

Someone with an OSI (Operational Stress Injury) such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), depending on the symptoms and severity, will have strong difficulties in completing an addictions program when they could be suffering flashbacks from their triggering memory in the middle of a healing session focused on addictions. Attending a group addictions session would be almost painful for someone who is triggered by large groups and emotional outbursts. These are just two potential examples of why you cannot just treat one problem without treating the other because a person seeking help for their OSI would have any number of PTSD therapies disrupted by their addictions … drinking alcohol is a common method used by people with an OSI to self-medicate and cope with their symptoms even though it is neither effective nor helpful. If someone is inebriated and having traumatic flashbacks, they do not have the same control of their environment that they would if they were sober. Breathing techniques and logic do not present themselves as options to those who are inebriated. So the question remains, which do we treat first?

The answer is something that comes from time, effort and assessment. There are places that are equipped to deal with both but may require an adaptable program to deal with the issues. A person going through OSI therapy at the same time as addictions therapy may not be in a place for OSI therapy sessions until their addictions have been dealt with, etc. We cannot forget the ‘Why’ of beating addictions down. We all want full lives and be surrounded by happier people, at least in theory. Those you love and that love you want all of you, and addictions takes a lot of a person away from their loved ones. Let us help you find treatment!

We at OSI-CAN do not see PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a Disorder, we see it as an Injury you can recover from. If you are suffering from the symptoms of an Occupational or Operational Stress Injury, know that a PTSD or PTSI diagnosis is not required to get our help.

Places you can go for more information:

HOW ADDICTION HIJACKS THE BRAIN

• https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/how-addiction-hijacks-the-brain.htm

ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/alcoholism-and-alcohol-abuse.htm

DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION

• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/drug-abuse-and-addiction.htm

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/substance-abuse-and-mental-health.htm

GAMBLING ADDICTION AND PROBLEM GAMBLING

• Sk.cmha.ca/programs-services/gambling

• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/gambling-addiction-and-problem-gambling.htm

ADDICTIONS COUNSELLING FOR FREE FOR THOSE WITH NON-OPERATIONAL PTSD

University of Regina Online Therapy

Onlinetherapyuser.ca > Go to the COURSES tab

-The Wellbeing Course aims to provide free education and guidance on simple but effective cognitive behavioural techniques for managing depression and/or anxiety. The Course helps people with thoughts, behaviours, and physical symptoms of depression and anxiety.

There are also many extra lessons available depending on client needs/interests and time: sleep, communication, assertiveness, problem-solving, managing beliefs, mental skills, managing panic, PTSD, worry, grief, and pain.

-The Alcohol Change Course | Online Therapy Unit (onlinetherapyuser.ca)

Places you can go for Addictions treatment (that are equipped for PTSD), either Outpatient or Inpatient:

In Regina – Susan Ulmer Addiction Services

• https://susanulmer.ca/

In Saskatoon or via Zoom (Outpatient only)

· https://possibilitiesrecovery.ca/

OSI-CAN provides support groups led by those with lived experience! For more information go to www.osicansk.ca

Our mission is to inspire hope and contribute to the continued well-being and recovery process of Veterans and Front Line Protectors across Canada.

We seek to empower and encourage them to strive for recovery through peer and professional support while creating greater public awareness.

We at OSI-CAN do not see PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a Disorder, we see it as an Injury you can recover from. If you are suffering from the symptoms of an Occupational or Operational Stress Injury, then a PTSD or PTSI diagnosis is not required to get our help

The target demographic of OSI-CAN are but are not limited to: former and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Allied Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Frontline Protectors --- which include Municipal Police Services, CN Police Services, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Protection Services, Wildland Firefighters, Hospital Trauma personnel, Nurses, Healthcare Workers, Social Workers, Animal Control Officers, Coroners, Indigenous Emergency Management, Victim Services Personnel, Emergency Communications Specialist, Corrections Officers, “Volunteer” First Responders, Conservation Officers, Aboriginal Emergency Services personnel, Tow Truck drivers who clean up accident scenes and their spouses/partners. This demographic was chosen due to the commonality of experiences they share through the service they provide to the country and community. We have a special interest and support volunteer first responders as they are not eligible for programs such as Workers' Compensation.

What is a Peer Support Group for?

OSI-CAN provides Peer Support Groups for our target demographic; Currently serving and former members of the military, RCMP, and all Public Safety Personnel. Operational Stress Injuries can occur when a person directly experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. This can also happen with repeated exposure to traumatic situations and details. Listen to Tom, a Peer Support Leader, about this:

Having been through Peer Support myself and now as a Peer Supporter, I can say that the experience of being in a Peer Support meeting is very low pressure. After all, you are already feeling enough pressure on yourself as it is while dealing with an OSI. Even attending a meeting without speaking is known to be helpful to your mental health and it took quite a while before I trusted the people in the group so I didn’t say anything until I felt comfortable.

Peer support is emotional and practical support between two people who share a common experience, such as a mental health challenge or illness. A Peer Supporter has lived through that similar experience, and is trained to support others. (https://peersupportcanada.ca/)

Peer support is recognized and highly valued as an integrated component of the mental health system, accessible to all individuals and family members affected by mental health challenges and illness. Our peer support certification is designed for individuals with lived experience of a mental health and/or addiction challenge or mental illness who are supporting others with a mental health and/or addiction challenge or mental illness. (https://peersupportcanada.ca/)

For Further Detail:

Read up on PTSD or OSI in the OSI-CAN Manual

Our mission is to inspire hope and contribute to the continuous well-being and recovery process of Veterans and Front Line Protectors across Canada.

We seek to empower and encourage them to strive for recovery through peer and professional support while creating greater public awareness.

We at OSI-CAN do not see PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a Disorder, we see it as an Injury you can recover from. If you are suffering from the symptoms of an Occupational or Operational Stress Injury, then a PTSD or PTSI diagnosis is not required to get our help

The target demographic of OSI-CAN are but are not limited to: former and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Allied Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Frontline Protectors --- which include Municipal Police Services, CN Police Services, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Protection Services, Wildland Firefighters, Hospital Trauma personnel, Nurses, healthcare Workers, Social Workers, Animal Control Officers, Coroners, Indigenous Emergency Management, Victim Services Personnel, Emergency Communications Specialist, Corrections Officers, “Volunteer” First Responders, Conservation Officers, Aboriginal Emergency Services personnel, Tow Truck drivers who clean up accident scenes and their spouses/partners. This demographic was chosen due to the commonality of experiences they share through the service they provide to the country and community. We have a special interest and support volunteer first responders as they are not eligible for programs such as Workers' Compensation.