Canada’s newest clinic dedicated to the treatment of military men and women with operational stress injuries officially opened in Ottawa on Tuesday.
Located at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, the Ottawa operational stress injury clinic is one of five new operational stress injury clinics funded by the federal government.
By fall 2009, the number of operational stress injury clinics will grow to 10. These will complement the five operational trauma and stress support centres operated by the Department of National Defence.
The Ottawa clinic, which cost $162,000, has an annual operating budget of $1.86 million and has the capacity to treat up to 150 clients at any given time.
“Our network of operational stress injury clinics demonstrates our commitment to improving the quality of life of clients and their families living with mental health conditions,” said Minister of Veterans Affairs Greg Thompson, who officially opened the centre.
Funded by Veterans Affairs Canada and managed by the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, the Ottawa clinic provides mental health services to veterans, Canadian Forces members and eligible RCMP, as well as their families who are living with operational stress injuries, which include post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, depression or addiction.
The clinic offers diagnosis, assessment, treatment, support and counselling services.
