Cheryl Gallant, Member of Parliament for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, announced today the opening of an Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centre (OTSSC) at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence.
“The opening of this OTSSC helps demonstrate this Government’s continued commitment to providing a high standard of mental health care to our men and women in uniform,” said MP Gallant.
The centre joins already established OTSSCs in Ottawa, Halifax, Valcartier, Edmonton, and Esquimalt in providing full-service assessment and treatment for CF members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other operational stress injuries. Each centre has an interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, addictions counsellors, and health services chaplains.
“The OTSSCs are the CF’s centres of excellence in offering comprehensive and evidence-based treatment for personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other operational stress injuries,” said Commodore Hans Jung, Surgeon General.
MP Gallant also took this opportunity to congratulate the base medical clinic on having recently been granted Accredited Status by Accreditation Canada. “This Accreditation reaffirms that CF Health Services personnel are highly trained medical professionals committed to observing best practice and evidence-based interdisciplinary care,” said MP Gallant. “With the support of their health care partners, the CF Health Services provides full spectrum and high standard health care to Canada’s military personnel, wherever and whenever they serve.”
MP Gallant also extended her sincere congratulations and thanks to the base medical clinic for their continued commitment to delivering excellent care to the men and women of the CF.
The Government of Canada continues to listen and respond to the concerns of ill and injured CF personnel, veterans and their families. This announcement is a continuation of the Government’s action to improve the care and support of our troops, veterans and the wider CF family.