The holidays can be stressful for some people, and with the COVID-19 outbreak, this year may be extremely hard. These periods can be made significantly more difficult if you have an Operational Stress Injury (OSI).
Support Our Troops is pleased to help the Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) project, which delivers a nationwide social network of support for soldiers of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Veterans, and their families dealing with the effects of an OSI. Those who have been affected can interact with skilled peers who can offer a sympathetic ear, aid with goal-setting, and provide access to appropriate services.
The path to wellbeing can be difficult to walk, and it can eventually take its toll on someone’s mental health and family, leading to stress. The OSISS Program is led by a circle of people who have all been through an OSI. This service assists students who require assistance in connecting with a community as well as the empathy and wisdom of their colleagues.
In addition to peer mentoring, persons dealing with the effects of an OSI can attend a camp. These getaways give families the chance to interact with other families who are experiencing similar situations, acquire new coping strategies, be in a secure atmosphere, and discover additional local resources that may be able to help. 9 sessions were hosted across Canada last year, with 198 family members in attendance.
The OSISS project assists students who require assistance in connecting with society as well as the empathy and expertise of their equals.