A new partnership between the Centre for Mental Health Research (CMHR) at the University of Waterloo and Parkwood Institute’s Operational Stress Injury Clinic (OSIC), part of St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s), will deliver specialized mental health services for Canada’s veterans, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP closer to home.
Members of the media are invited to attend the launch of this new service.
“We know from decades of research PTSD tends to develop into a chronic condition that rarely gets better on its own without effective psychological treatment,” said Professor David Moscovitch, executive director of CMHR at Waterloo. “Providing culturally aware, evidence-based assessment services through the CMHR will allow better access to care for those in our community who are struggling with service-related psychological injury.”
“We are proud to partner with the CMHR to increase our service reach for Canada’s military and RCMP personnel,” adds Heather Tales, director of veterans care at St. Joseph’s. “This partnership also furthers St. Joseph’s academic mission and will provide unique research and clinical training opportunities for Waterloo students and residents in clinical psychology.”
PTSD is one of several persistent psychological difficulties otherwise known as operational stress injuries (OSI) that military and RCMP personnel can develop as a result of duties performed during their service. Other examples include major depressive disorder, substance abuse, general anxiety and difficulty adjusting to civilian life.
Speaking at the event will be dean of arts at the University of Waterloo, the executive director of the CMHR, St. Joseph’s director of veterans care, and a veteran with PTSD who has benefited from access to psychological services at Parkwood Institute’s OSIC. Dr. Cyd Courchesne, national medical officer in the Department of Veterans Affairs, will deliver a short keynote.
Members of the media are requested to confirm their attendance with the media contact below.
Date: Monday, April 4, 2016
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Westmount Room, Federation Hall, University of Waterloo
Parking is available at Federation Hall (J lot) or at the University Club (M Lot) or at Columbia Icefield (W lot).
