News Release

Operational Stress Injury Clinic Opens in Calgary

Calgary – The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, along with Dale Forbes, Executive Director, Carewest, and Colonel (Retired) Don Ethell, Chair, Operational Stress Injuries Social Support Advisory Committee, officially opened the Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic in Calgary today.

The clinic, funded by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and managed by Carewest, provides specialized services to Veterans and members of the Canadian Forces (CF) who suffer from Operational Stress Injuries. The clinic opened its doors on April 24, 2006 and offers standardized assessment, treatment, prevention and support to serving CF members and Veterans who suffer from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other stress. Educational programs as well as individual, group, and family counselling are also available.

"The New Veterans Charter, introduced this year by Veterans Affairs Canada, will make it easier for CF members and Veterans with operational stress injuries to obtain services faster," said Minister Thompson. "This clinic is an excellent example of how our new Government is fulfilling its commitment to provide Veterans and CF members with the highest standard of care."

"Many Veterans and CF members have suffered immeasurably in body and mind in the service of their country and their families have suffered along with them," said Don Ethell. "This clinic will go a long way to easing the burdens they carry and in helping those struggling with an operational stress injury to deal more effectively with it. It is a very welcome step in the right direction in the overall care of our military family."

This new facility is part of a national network of treatment clinics which includes: a National OSI Centre at the Department's Ste. Anne's Hospital near Montréal as well as clinics already established at Parkwood Hospital (London), Deer Lodge (Winnipeg) and La Maison Paul Triquet (Québec).

Also included in the network are the Department of National Defence's (DND) five CF Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centres located at Halifax, Valcartier, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Esquimalt; and other health professionals involved in the treatment of psychological injuries.

"Clients are able to access a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and clinical social workers, who work together to develop a treatment plan tailored to meet the individual needs of the CF member," said Dale Forbes. "We are very pleased to be able to provide this important service here in Calgary."

For more information, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site.

All Other Enquiries:
information@vac-acc.gc.ca