Ellis delivers funding news in support of veterans living with PTSD

Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis’ news was welcomed at the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre

Canadian Armed Forces personnel dealing with mental health issues and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder have support from the federal government.

Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis announced Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) will receive $741,620 from the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund over three years, to support the development of Project Trauma Support.

The Project cites evidence that first responders are at least twice as likely, compared to the general population, to suffer PTSD, due to the risk of routine exposure to trauma stressors. The average person may experience an average of one traumatic incident in their lifetime. The average first responder will encounter 600 such incidents within their working life.

The project, organized and run by the MDSC, is a community-based residential program designed to provide timely access to help military and first-responders suffering from service-related trauma. Its team consists of physicians with experience in mental health counselling as well as lived experience with military and emergency medicine.

The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund was designed to support the creation of innovative services, supports and projects that enable veterans to make successful transitions to post-service life.

“Mood Disorders Society of Canada has long been one of our country’s strongest advocates for mental health research and support services,” said Ellis, Friday at the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre. “The funding for Project Trauma Support program will help another 96 Canadian Armed Forces veterans to access specialized care to support their mental health and personal wellbeing.”

The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund will distribute $3 million annually to organizations across Canada. MDSC is one of 21 organizations to receive funding this year.

“Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) applauds the Government of Canada for recognizing the importance of addressing the mental health needs of veterans by supporting MDSC deliver Project Trauma Support (PTS); an innovative, community-based, six-day residential program that employs a sanctuary model aimed at addressing Post-Traumatic Stress and Operational Stress Injury in military personnel, veterans, first responders and correctional officers,” said Dave Gallson, National Executive Director, Mood Disorders Society of Canada.