Annual Wellness Check-In
One psychologist appointment annually for sworn members – the cost is covered by Human Resources.
Badge of Life Canada
This peer-led, charitable, volunteer organization is committed to supporting police and Corrections personnel – active/retired and sworn/civilian — who are dealing with psychological injuries diagnosed from service. They offer a safe and confidential place where members in crisis can turn for immediate information to assist members who are suffering an operational stress injury, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addictions. They can help with access to counselling, including suicide prevention counselling, information, and group support programs.
Beyond the Blue
Erica McKeddie started the Vancouver chapter of Beyond the Blue, which provides support and resource network for spouses, partners, and families of civilian and sworn VPD members.
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Lower Mainland
1-800-909-6303
Website / Email
The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) was founded in 1988 and is the professional association that represents Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) in our province. This means that if you receive counselling services from an RCC, you can have confidence in their experience and qualifications, and that they have met the highest standards of their profession. Fee information is on the website. Today, RCCs represent over 4,100 Registered Clinical Counsellors across B.C. Every person who receives the RCC counselling designation in British Columbia has met specific educational and training criteria required by the BCACC. What’s more, RCCs have not only met the academic, clinical competence, and professional requirements, they have voluntarily committed themselves to practice according to an ethical code of conduct and standards of practice.
Canadian Emergency Response Psychosocial Support Network (CanEmerg)
Funded through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada, CanEMERG provides free, 24/7 access to evidence-based mental health tools and resources intended to prevent the development of longer-term mental health difficulties following an emergency or disaster.
Available, evidence-based, resources include:
- Navigation to federal, provincial, and local no-cost mental health services
- Psychological first aid guidelines for crisis support and community resilience/well-being
- A self-assessment tool to check your own mental health status
- Guidance for coping with stress, trauma, and PTSD
- A community recovery toolkit to guide leaders and organizations through supporting their communities post-disaster
- A personal mental health toolkit with strategies to manage stress during crises
CanEMERG was created with all Canadians in mind, including civilians, public safety personnel, municipal leaders, health care workers, veterans, and equity-deserving communities. The website is open and accessible free of charge to all Canadians.
They also have a self-directed learning course for people coping with stress, trauma, and post-traumatic stress.
Can Praxis
403-852-0907
Red Deer, Alberta
Website / Email
Can Praxis is a Canadian registered charity providing mental health recovery programs for Canadian veterans and first responders (serving and retired) living with an Operational Stress Injury, such as PTSD. They incorporate equine therapy into their programs because horses can teach people about ourselves, and are experts at reading body language, picking up on all the non-verbal cues in any interaction. Founded in 2013 by a Canadian military veteran and a trauma-focused clinician, Can Praxis is the leading equine-assisted therapy provider for the veteran and first responder communities. The program is 100% paid for, including transportation. All you have to do is call Steve Critchley.
Chaplain
VPD Chaplain Cayer can be reach at marty.cayer@vpd.ca or 604-717-9595.
CMHA Vancouver-Fraser Branch
110 – 2425 Quebec Street
604-872-4902
Website / Email
The CMHA Vancouver-Fraser Branch provides mental health promotion and mental illness recovery-focused programs and services for people of all ages and their families.
CMHA North and West Vancouver Branch
312 – 2030 Marine Drive, North Vancouver
604-987-6959
Website / Email
The CMHA North and West Vancouver branch offers short-term, low-cost, confidential, one-to-one support for adults living on the North Shore. Their professional team of counsellors can assist you to explore your key concerns, identify opportunities for growth, and develop strategies for meaningful change. This short-term, affordable service provides up to 12 sessions of individual counselling for adults who do not have an open claim with ICBC, WCB or any other insurance carrier, and who have a realistic potential to benefit from short-term counselling. At this time, they are only able to provide individual counselling.
- Intern Counsellors: $25/session for individuals
- Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC): $50/session for individuals
Sessions are NOT COVERED BY GreenShield because they are RCC.
Greenshield Extended Health Benefits
Psychologists and RCCs
Website
- VPU Sworn – up to $5000 a year per family
- Teamsters Employees – up to $1750 a year per family
Homewood
1-800-663-1142
Website
VPD Employee and Family Assistance Plan – Homewood is NOT a Greenshield benefit, but provides short-term counselling with clinical counsellors and some psychologists for six to eight sessions for employees and family members free of cost.
High-Stress Debrief Program
One psychologist appointment annually for employees working in certain units dealing with critical police files – paid for by Human Resources.
Mood Disorders Association of B.C. (MDABC)
789 W. Pender Street
604-873-0103
Website / Email
The Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDABC) is a nonprofit organization that provides treatment, support, education, and hope of recovery for people living with a mood disorder. MDABC is a branch of Lookout Housing and Health Society.
Mossycoppers
Retired communication group that sends out regular emails.
Peer Support for all VPD Employees
- Sworn: peersupport@vpd.ca
- Civilian: civilian.cism@vpd.ca
PTSD Coach Canada App
Access exercises and resources to help manage stress and symptoms related to PTSD. It was developed for veterans, CAF, and RCMP members, but also supports family and friends in accessing care. It’s available to all Canadians dealing with the effects of trauma.
Ten Seven (VPD Facebook group)
Run by Barb Bates.
Vancouver Superannuated Police Officers’ Association (VSPOA)
President Ian Sinclair
Vice-President Griff Simmonds
Newsletter: Greg Perry
Brian Honeybourn
Brian organizes four large lunches per year at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Langley, which are well-attended. The comradery amongst retired members is strong.
The VSPOA meets every second Tuesday of every month at 10:30 a.m. in the Army, Navy & Air Force at 298 – 3917 Main Street. No meetings in July and August.
VPD Retired Members’ Website
Run by VPD HR. Email laurel.kennedy@vpd.ca if you would like anything added to the site.
Warrior Health
This is a new digital mental health platform, in which Homewood Health is a partner. They offer free, confidential, and anonymous access to evidence-based mental health tools for police officers, firefighters, paramedics, correctional workers, and emergency dispatchers.
West Coast Resiliency Centre
778-654-5384
214 – 3195 Granville Street
Website / Email
The West Coast Resiliency Centre specializes in providing therapy for individuals suffering from trauma- and stress-related mental health conditions, such as acute stress disorder, PTSD, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorders. Clients work directly with a team of psychologists and occupational therapists to receive comprehensive treatment through individualized outpatient programs. Their treatment approach is informed by current research and involves cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based interventions. They provide education that helps clients to better understand their problems, teach skills to manage symptoms and cope with stress and overwhelming emotions, support clients with processing their traumatic experiences, and work with them to improve their function in self-care, leisure and productivity and live a more meaningful life. Some programs are also offered by WorkSafe BC.
Wings of Change Peer Support
Langley and White Rock
Website / Email
Meetings are anonymous, and offer solution-based discussion and education regarding any work-related trauma and mental health challenge. Participants always refrain from “trauma-talk” (call/patient details of any kind) as this may be a trigger and is best discussed with health care professionals. All first-responders, law enforcement personnel, communications officers, members of the military, health care providers, and child protection, animal, funeral, correctional, and judicial service workers are welcome — be they career, retired, or volunteer. While an employer may be providing this meeting’s contact and location information as a resource they sanction, they are not directly affiliated with this meeting. Langley and White Rock chapters meet monthly. Contact by email.
Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC)
Programs for first responders and/or their spouses, and a children’s camp – free of cost. Register online.