If you or anyone else you know think they are suffering from PTSD I urge you to contact your nearest support base medical facility. The military has set up a PTSD clinic in the major army garrison locations (Edmonton for sure, and I think in Petawawa and Valcartier - as well (not certain) as perhaps in Esquimalt and Halifax). They are mandated to provide support to Reservists, such as yourself, no matter where they are located.

Contact your nearest medical facility, they can refer you to a confidential centre that will help you. If you want more info, email me and I can find it out. Don't wait or hesitate because the services are out there.

Incidentally, according to a report on PTSD prepared in the mid-90s by LCdr Greg Passey, up to 22% of peacekeepers returning from duty in the former Yugoslavia in 1993 had a degree of PTSD and/or depression. He also states that PTSD may not manifest itself for years... even decades in the case of some WW2 vets. For this reason he writes, "One could therefore speculate that for Canadian peacekeepers there may be long term psychological consequences of their UN duty that will have an enduring impact on medical and pension services for many years to come."

Assistance for Post-Deployment Stress-Related Illness

The CF recognizes its responsibility to provide assistance to individual members and their families in dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and will establish four new Operational Behavioural Sciences Centres at Halifax, Valcartier, Edmonton and Esquimalt by September 1999. These are in addition to the national centre currently operating in Ottawa. The national centre is already establishing links between the Reserve Force and the operational behaviour resources throughout the
Canadian Forces, and will also investigate methods, including civilian resources, to better detect and treat PTSD. The need to add new outreach activities has also been approved.

In addition to these changes, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and DND are currently developing an agreement which will see the PTSD Clinic at Ottawa provide assessment and treatment to former CF members. For former CF members who settle outside the areas
surrounding the four clinics, the VAC/DND agreement will include a provision of funds to reimburse those who must incur travel costs in order to receive treatment.

Gunner says:

If I'm not mistaken, every Reserve Brigade has a Military Family Resource Centre that is equiped with support structures for regulars and reservists alike. Furthermore, most of the reserve units that I know of do have a Padre that can be reached for counselling services with respect to PTSD and any/or other emotional issues. The support system is in place, so I do not understand what is meant by those who claim that the system does not care. Suffering by yourself in silence does more damage than one realizes. If you need the help, ask for it!!

-the patriot-