Explore Encompas’ growing library of resources specifically for families of OPPA members. Information, tools, and resources are geared towards ensuring whole-family wellness.
Substance use disorders are a common mental health challenge that affect people from all walks of life. That said, sometimes treatment options are inaccessible – such as a long-term residential program, or frequent in-person groups or individual sessions. Fortunately, virtual treatment can allow people to overcome these barriers to recovery. ALAViDA, Canada’s first virtual substance use management care provider, is a science-based solution that delivers an immersive experience developed by medical professionals with a comprehensive background on substance use disorders and delivered by technology. ALAViDA’s mission is to improve the treatment of substance use disorders by educating broadly to reduce the stigma and bringing the same scientific approach that has existed in other areas of the medical community for decades.
To learn more about ALAViDA, speak to an Encompas Care Manager at 1-866-794-9117 or visit https://try.alavida.co/encompas/
Camp F.A.C.E.S.(Families and Children of Emergency Services) is a support camp which provides families who have suffered a tragic loss of a loved one an opportunity to meet others, participate in activities and experience camp life while developing new friendships.
Camp F.A.C.E.S also host weekend retreats which are devoted to families who have a loved one currently serving or retired who has been diagnosed with PTSD. Families will have the opportunity to share, connect, learn, and develop lifelong friendships through the power of Peer support and mental health oversight.
Camp Maple Leaf hosts a sleepover camp for children who are grieving the death of a parent or sibling, supporting them to gain strength from each other, as they realize the power they have within themselves.
View the Camp Skein 2022 Brochure
Camp Kids of Heroes is a summer camp designed for the heroes of our heroes (whose parents, both first responder and military – active and Veterans – are living with an operational stress injury).
The Canadian Critical Incident Stress Foundation is a recognized national charitable organization, assisting emergency personnel and communities involved in or exposed to critical incidents. The purpose of the CCISF is to provide a network of teams, trainers and resources that enable and enhance crisis response.
https://www.ccisf.info/family-support
Charmed Horse Assisted Wellness Centre
We offer Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), which is an alternative modality of experiential therapy, and unlike traditional methods. Our wellness treatment team consists of a registered Psychologist, a horse specialist, and some horses in each session. There is no previous horse knowledge required, and no horse riding involved, as it all takes place on the ground. Horses use their instinctual ability to read body language and emotions around them, as they would in the wild. The horses may become metaphors and symbols of one’s life story, and react to the energy around them giving the client the opportunity to come to their own solutions, while practicing new coping skills in a safe place without judgement.
Horses have the ability to help lower stress hormones and help to put a smile on one’s face and in one’s heart. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy aids in the healing and development of new coping skills for many mental health struggles, such as, but not limited to: PTSD, PTSI, CPTSD, OSI, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, substance addictions, eating disorders, divorce, bereavement, stuck in life, low self esteem, as well as for those wanting to experience self-discovery, spiritual growth, and a stronger connection with their family. This type of therapy is not suited for clients diagnosed with psychosis.
Family Self-Care and Recovery is a resource for families who have a loved one with a mental illness. The core of the program is to help families become informed caregivers for themselves and other family members, whose needs are as important as those of the ill relative.
https://bcfirstrespondersmentalhealth.com/resource/family-self-care-recovery/
What is the First Eyes® Proactive Family Mental Health Program?
First Eyes® is a 3-hour workshop and its goal is to minimize the impact and affect that a “mental injury or illness”, like PTSD, can have on:
- an “at-risk” person
- their “partner”
- their family, and
- their friends
With early detection and a planned intervention, the likelihood for positive outcomes in a shorter period of time is increased.
Remain Anonymous
At no time during the workshop will you be asked to disclose your surname, occupation, or location.
What’s included in the workshop?
The workshop provides the participants (an “at-risk” person and their “partner”as defined on our webpage) with:
- clinical information about mental injuries and illnesses
- shared real-life experiences from someone who suffers from a mental injury or illness
- a better understanding of how mental injuries & illnesses impact relationships, families & friends
- an open Q & A discussion period
- a personalized “care plan” that they will create together during the workshop
- ongoing support through our website to answer any post-workshop questions
Having a care plan that can be immediately activated in time of need can save valuable time in getting all those concerned the help and support they will need to work through the challenging times ahead.
Cost: $200/couple
Learn More: https://firsteyes.ca/
Neither the OPPA nor Encompas are affiliated with the resources being provided. You are not obligated to access any of these resources as part of your involvement with the Encompas Program. These resources are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they have been chosen for their clinical relevance to improving the mental health and wellbeing of the Encompas membership and they are not intended to provide a diagnosis. The provision of these resources does not constitute an endorsement or an approval by OPPA or Encompas of any of the opinions of the provider and OPPA and Encompas bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of these resources, of the external site or of subsequent links.
Moving Beyond Stigma is useful information for families who have a family member with co-occurring mental health and substance use problems. This is a resource specific for families who are navigating a family member’s concurrent disorder.
https://camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/moving-beyond-stigma
A 1 hr 32 min documentary that takes us into that world of the first responder we rarely see: life out of uniform. Actor Enrico Colantoni, who played Sgt. Greg Parker for five years on the international hit series Flashpoint, is our guide on this journey.
We’ll get to know first responders through their families, their spouses, their co-workers, and themselves; people who have experienced the flip-side of what can happen when a hero discovers that they are not emotionally immune to all that they deal with during their shifts.
This documentary is available to watch on the Encompas Portal. For more information, please call Encompas at 1-866-794-9117 or send us an email info@encompascare.ca.
This support group provides confidential support to spouses, partners, and caregivers of first responders living with OSI or PTSD. Meetings are twice a month on Wednesdays at 7pm.
Email: firstresponderfamilyottawa@gmail.com
When doing your job means that you show up to assist during the worst times in people’s lives, no one is able to escape without some kind of mental or physical response. This project wants everyone to realize it’s normal to experience post-traumatic stress and there is a risk of psychological injury after attending or witnessing traumatic incidents.
The Show Up for Our Heroes project aims to create awareness for the public and to let first responders working in these high stress fields know that their experience is normal. Even with excellent training, knowledge and skills, such a response can be expected at some point over the span of a career. This project wants to offer hope that recovery is possible and raise awareness of organizations delivering support and services to the people on the front lines across Canada.
Learn More:
https://maureenpollardmsw.com/heroes-project
This guide helps families understand and identify signs and symptoms of mental health challenges. It provides information and access to resources to help support their loved ones.
Toolkit for Families is a resource for those who are supporting children, youth, and adults with a mental health or substance use disorder. Modules provide education surrounding support, recovery, and skills which are helpful when providing care to their loved one.
https://bcfirstrespondersmentalhealth.com/resource/a-toolkit-for-families/
Disclaimer: Neither the OPPA no Encompas are affiliated with the resources being provided. You are not obligated to access any of these resources as part of your involvement with the Encompas Program. These resources are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they have been chosen for their clinical relevance to improving the mental health and wellbeing of the Encompas membership and they are not intended to provide a diagnosis. The provision of these resources does not constitute an endorsement or an approval by OPPA or Encompas of any of the opinions of the provider and OPPA and Encompas bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of these resources, of the external site or of subsequent links.