For Veterans, RCMP & Families
Resources
All services listed are Canadian and available to Canadian Veterans, serving and retired RCMP members, and their families.
Who These Resources Are For
This section lists resources available to Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and active-duty and retired members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Some service providers also support family members.
Most of these resources are self-referral, meaning you can refer yourself today. The caveat: if you are still serving, you will need to follow your internal protocols and policies. Each service can tell you what that process looks like when you reach out.
No single resource can fix every problem. Many members used a combination of resources to get themselves healthy. We wish there were a one-size-fits-all solution, but there simply isn’t, and we cannot say what will work for everyone. That’s why we’re sharing resources with a proven track record, so you can try them and find what works for you.
Know a Great Program?
If you know of a Canadian program or service in your province that is doing excellent work and can help members, please contact us. We’ll review the information and add it to this section in future updates.
Peer & Counselling Programs · National
Veterans Transition Network
Research-backed, retreat-based programs that have helped CAF and RCMP members, actively serving or retired, for 25 years. Delivered in English and French across Canada by psychologists and counsellors with specialized military training. No fees.
Program details
Level 1: Transition Skills Course (TSC)
This 5-day, in-person, retreat-based workshop aims to empower Veterans while normalizing their transition journey through shared experiences with peers. The TSC focuses on skills related to communication, personal development, self-maintenance, future planning, and social engagement.
No fees. All fees (including travel, room and board) are covered by donations from the Canadian public. VTN can also submit claims on behalf of VAC clients to have their expenses covered by Veterans Affairs.
Social Engagement
Courses are delivered by specially trained psychologists and counsellors, include direct peer support from Veteran peer supporters who have graduated from previous programs, and focus on building supportive connection between participants.
Communication
The directness of military language often doesn’t translate well to the civilian world, at home or at work. Learn to bridge this gap, improve the relationships important to you, and be understood the way you want to be.
Self-Maintenance
The effects of high-pressure work environments and operational stress can impact life long after service. Learn why this occurs, how to drop these lingering effects, increase resiliency, and access peer or professional resources to keep improving.
Personal Development
Transitioning out of service can involve shifts in self-identity and career-path uncertainty. Build skills to recognize and work with the thoughts, emotions and deeper values that motivate growth.
Future Planning
“Getting out” can bring unexpected challenges: responsibility, routine, finances. Explore what made your service rewarding and build concrete plans to find that personal meaning again.
NEW: Couples Program “Stronger, Closer, Together”
A 5-day residential group counselling course where couples with a Veteran or serving member work together to reduce conflict and distance, increase trust and intimacy, and create a more secure bond.
Prerequisite: completion of VTN’s TSC and/or TEC programs, or Wounded Warriors Canada’s TRP1, TRP2 and/or COPE programs.
Please note: Many active members take this course and continue working. “Transition” is not exclusive to members preparing to retire.
Clinical Assessment & Treatment · Provincial
Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinics
Comprehensive clinical assessment and treatment for Veterans, active RCMP and military members facing mental health conditions related to an operational stress injury. In-person and virtual assessment. Services include CBT courses, psychiatric medication and education, PTSD, depression and anxiety therapy, and location-specific programs. Nearly every province has a clinic.
Clinics by province
| Province | Contact | Location(s) |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia & Yukon | (604) 331-8990 bcosi@vch.ca Website | Vancouver: Suite 570, 2889 East 12th Ave., Vancouver, BC V5M 4T5 Vancouver Island: Suite 700, 747 Fort St., Victoria, BC V8W 3E9 |
| Alberta | Red Deer (403) 216-9866 Calgary (403) 216-9860 Edmonton (780) 342-2792 osiadmin@albertahealthservices.ca Website | Red Deer: 4915 54 Street, T4N 2G7 Calgary: 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW, T3A 0E2 Edmonton: 9499 137 Avenue, T5E 5R8 |
| Saskatchewan | (306) 844-4100 skosi@saskhealthauthority.ca Website | Saskatoon: 130 – 415 Wellman Crescent, S7T 0J1 |
| Manitoba | Deer Lodge Centre (204) 837-1301 info@deerlodge.mb.ca Website | Winnipeg: 2109 Portage Avenue, R3J 0L3 |
| Ontario | St. Joseph’s OSI Clinic 519-685-4000 ext. 42399 Website | Parkwood Institute, London; satellites in Toronto and Hamilton; access point with the University of Waterloo. Serves Southwestern Ontario, GTA, Hamilton–Niagara, Northern & Western Ontario. GTA: 5000 Yonge Street, Suite 1401, Toronto, M2N 7E9 |
| Ottawa area | The Royal’s OSI Clinic (613) 722-6521 ext. 6270 Website | 1145 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4 |
| Quebec | Ste. Anne’s 514-457-3440 ext. 3200 Website | Ste. Anne’s Hospital, 305 Boul. des Anciens-Combattants, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 1Y9 |
| New Brunswick | Horizon Health OSI Clinic 506-474-2265 osiclinic.fredericton@HorizonNB.ca Website | Carriage Place Mall, 900 Hanwell Rd., Fredericton, NB |
| Prince Edward Island | 902-367-7075 Email & website: not active yet | 25 Myrtle St., Stratford |
| Nova Scotia | 902-460-6225 Sydney: 902-574-2167 Website | 100 Eileen Stubbs Ave., Suite 210, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1Y6 Satellite: 3 Detheridge Drive, Sydney, NS B1L 1B8 |
Physical & Mental Health · Surrey, BC
Centre of Clinical Excellence – Veterans Village
A one-stop centre serving Veterans, first responders and their families, addressing both physical and mental health conditions. Care is tailored to each person, in person at the Centre or virtually by video.
Programs & services
Clinical Counselling
Registered Clinical Counsellors trained in the unique challenges of Veterans, first responders and their families. Support for anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship difficulties, with a focus on resilience and coping strategies.
Nutrition
Personalized assessments and custom nutrition plans for weight management, chronic conditions or optimal nutrition, using an evidence-based approach.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions such as neck, back and joint injuries, with progressive, active rehabilitation and segmental neuromyotherapy (trigger point injections).
Brain Fog Program
A multidisciplinary program addressing the physical, neurological and cognitive impacts of brain fog from Long COVID, concussion or other conditions. Fully funded* for CAF and RCMP Veterans and their families through the Legion Veterans Village Research Foundation and the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund. First responders and families may be covered through extended health benefits.
The Optimal Health Program
A guided program built on six pillars: Nutrition, Fitness, Sleep, Emotional Resilience, Vision and Purpose, and Meaningful Connections, with a Registered Dietitian, Kinesiologist and Sleep Coach.
Sleep & Fatigue Clinic
Assessment and treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders such as Shift Work Disorder, common in high-stress, shift-based service. Register to join the waitlist.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Deep TMS (dTMS) promotes brain neuroplasticity to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, PTSD and OCD. Sessions are about 20 minutes with little to no downtime. Health Canada approved for treatment-resistant depression and other mood disorders.
*Programs are self-referral and do not require any permission to contact them for services.
Intensive Outpatient · AB, BC, NB, NS
Newly Institute
Rapid access to medically managed Intensive Outpatient Programs with innovative treatments for anxiety, depression, addiction, PTSD, trauma and chronic pain. Locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Fredericton, Kelowna and Halifax.
Programs are self-referral and do not require any permission to contact them for services.
Mental Health Services · National
Wounded Warriors Canada
A national mental health service provider for Trauma Exposed Organizations, Professionals and Families, offering culturally informed education, counselling and training to support resiliency and recovery from post-trauma injuries.
Who they serve
A Trauma Exposed Professional (TExP) is someone who, through regular job duties, is continually exposed to traumatic events involving actual or threatened death, serious injury and/or sexual violence. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Canadian Armed Forces Veterans
- Police officers
- Fire fighters
- Paramedics
- Public safety communicators
- Corrections officers
- Security officers
- Search and rescue personnel
Programs are self-referral and do not require any permission to contact them for services.
Therapy Approach · Find a Clinician
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
A collaborative therapy that helps people with concerns from the past, present or future feel better now, without needing to share their entire story or the details of traumatic events. It’s weird, but it works.
How EMDR works
EMDR has the individual focus on an upsetting situation while the clinician uses back-and-forth (bilateral) motion, typically with the eyes, for the individual to follow. Eye movements have been shown to reduce the vividness, arousal and emotional intensity of traumatic memories. Each EMDR clinician is extensively trained in the 8-phase EMDR protocol.
Research & Evidence
EMDR is a highly researched, peer-reviewed treatment, effective for PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorders, dissociative disorders and trauma disorders. Veterans Affairs Canada and the World Health Organization, among other reputable organizations, recognize EMDR as an effective treatment.
Is EMDR for Me?
EMDR has been used successfully with groups who often find CBT and other therapies difficult, including military service members.
Trauma & Addiction Treatment · National
Concurrent Trauma & Addiction Program (CTAP) – EHN Canada
Mental health and addiction treatment created for first responders and military members, led by a multiprofessional team using evidence-based methods (PET, DBT, CPT). Includes a dedicated RCMP Navigation Plan through EHN Guardians.
Program details
How They Help
Treatment considers the challenges of your line of work. You join a cohort of fellow first responders and military members who understand what you’re going through. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) helps reduce PTSD symptoms, improve emotional regulation and increase resiliency.
Customized Programs Exclusively for the RCMP
The RCMP Navigation Plan from EHN Guardians helps members struggling with mental health, substance use or trauma find the treatment they need, starting with a consultation to set goals and recommend a recovery plan.
Alcohol & Drug Addiction Treatment
Evidence-based care including detox, medication management, individual and group counselling (CBT and DBT), education, mindfulness, family support and exercise, with a team of doctors, nurses, therapists and psychiatrists. Most people benefit from a seven-week program; treatment can be customized.
Government of Canada · Benefits
Veterans Affairs Canada – Claims Process
Have an illness or injury from your service? The disability pension is a tax-free monthly payment recognizing the impact of a service-related injury or disease on your life. The amount depends on how your condition relates to your service (entitlement) and its severity (assessment), and increases if you have qualifying dependants.
How to apply
You should apply if you (1) have a diagnosed medical condition or disability, and (2) can show that the condition is related to your service.
Apply Online
If you’re registered for My VAC Account, submit your application online through a guided web form. Every member can sign up for an account.
By Mail or In Person
Download the application form and drop it off at any VAC office, CAF Transition Centre or Service Canada office, or mail it to the address on the form.
Need Help?
Staff at any VAC office, CAF Transition Centre or Service Canada office can help, or call 1-866-522-2122. Service Officers with The Royal Canadian Legion or The War Amps can also help you gather what you need to support your application.
NSVCC doesn’t assist with filling out VAC paperwork. This information is provided for awareness and education.
Please note: The North Shore Veterans’ Council is not a healthcare provider. These listings are for information only; please contact providers directly about eligibility and services.
Last reviewed: November 2026