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A History of OSI-CAN
OSI-CAN is an Operational Stress Injury/Post Traumatic Stress Support Initiative.
Initially created in January 2016 as a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association (SK) and The Royal Canadian Legion (Saskatchewan Command). In 2019, the program expanded to include the Alberta A.S.K Peer Support Groups, and now Manitoba and British Columbia with the program operating some 25 groups across the three provinces.
OSI-CAN B.C. is a named project of the Canadian Mental Health Association, The B.C. Divison offering Peer Support Groups, Family Support Groups, assistance with service dog acquisition and referrals to equine therapy programs. Our support groups provide a free, safe, confidential, non-judgemental environment where we can talk openly about mental health to build our literacy while finding meaningful support and resources.
Mission:
To inspire hope and contribute to the continuous well-being and recovery process of Veterans, Community First Responders and Public Safety Personnel.
Our Vision
To empower and encourage them to strive for recovery, resiliency and
post traumatic growth through self-determination while creating a greater
public awareness.
Values:
To promote hope and recovery, empathic and equal relationships, self-
determination, dignity, respect and social inclusion. To build integrity,
authenticity, trust, health, wellness and lifelong learning through personal
growth
British Columbia Resources
Mental Health Helpline 24/7:1-877-303-2642
CMHA Distress Line 24/7: 310-6789
(HELP)
For Community Resources Call 211
BC Provincial Coordinator: 250-251-1653
osican.bc@gmail.com
OSI-CAN Target Demographic
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, Hospital Trauma personnel, Nurses, Social Workers, Coroners, Indigenous Emergency Management, Emergency Communications Specialists, Victim Services Personnel, Wildland Firefighters, 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.
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