Veterans Affairs Canada expands access to mental health services in Longueuil

LONGUEUIL, QC, Aug. 6, 2018 /CNW/ - When a Veteran is in need, timely access to mental health services is key. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring Veterans and their families have the mental health services they need when and where they need it.

Today, Sherry Romanado, Member of Parliament for Longueuil?Charles-LeMoyne and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, joined Gaétan Barrette, Quebec Minister of Health and Social Services for the opening of a new Operational Stress Injury (OSI) satellite service site in Longueuil, Quebec. 

Funded by Veterans Affairs Canada and operated by the province of Quebec, the new satellite service site will address the increased demand for OSI Clinic services in the greater Montreal area. A team of up to five clinicians will be operating out of the new space which can be expanded as needed.

Quotes
"Mental health is vital to overall wellness and expanding mental health services is one more way we can help Veterans and their families. By opening this satellite service site, we will bring much needed increased services to Veterans. We are proud to partner with the Government of Quebec to bring operational stress injury services to Veterans living in and near Longueuil."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

"Our Government is committed to helping Veterans living with an OSI get the help and support they need. These services need to be timely and, when possible, face to face. The Longueuil OSI satellite service site has been established for that very reason, to help Veterans and their families, on the South Shore get the services they need close to home."
Sherry Romanado, MP for Longueuil ? Charles-LeMoyne and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

"Veterans merit our full recognition, and they deserve all the support necessary when affected by an OSI. Through this clinic, they will find a team of specialists dedicated to their recovery, in a professional and welcoming environment. Access to mental health care and services is a shared priority, and that is clearly demonstrated by this close collaboration among the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec, Veterans Affairs Canada and the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l'Ouest-de-l'île-de-Montréal."
Gaétan Barrette, Quebec Minister of Health and Social Services

Quick Facts

• An operational stress injury is any persistent psychological difficulty resulting from operational duties performed while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces or as a member of the RCMP.
• There are 11 OSI clinics across Canada. These include one residential OSI clinic at the Ste. Anne's Hospital and 10 outpatient clinics in Calgary, Edmonton, Fredericton, Dartmouth, London, Ottawa, Québec City, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Additional OSI satellite service sites provide services closer to locations where Veterans live.

Associated Links

• Network of OSI Clinics
• http://www.ciusss-capitalenationale.gouv.qc.ca/nos-services/services-psychosociaux-et-sante-mentale/clinique-pour-traumatismes-lies-au-stress

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada