Lean in for Connection is a program designed to teach participants strategies for developing connection, navigating difficult interactions, and building healthy community. Drawing from Traumatic Loneliness and Feel Heard & Understood exercises, participants explore ways to connect using the work of Brene Brown’s on shame, love & belonging; Dr. Daniel Fisher’s work on Emotional CPR, Dr. Rosenberg’s Non-Violent Communication and many other skills.

In partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), the SMSRC is offering a peer support program for those that have been affected by sexual misconduct and/or military sexual trauma (MST). To participate or to learn more about the group peer support services, please contact the SMSRC via  email at SMSRCPSP-CSRISPSP@forces.gc.ca. or call the SMSRC 24/7 line to be referred to the Peer Support Program at 1-844-750-1648.

The Sober Sports program offers sports for recovering alumni. These activities, such as floor hockey, are designed so that people in recovery can reconnect with other alumni, be physically active, and have fun all at the same time.

*Currently Suspended Due to COVID. All activities will resume once the crisis has passed.*

The Aulmni Support Meetings offers weekly and bi-weekly support meetings are available across Canada as a way to connect alumni with one another and let them re-experience the power of the peer group. These meetings are facilitated by counsellors and recovery coaches.

Throughout the year, our Alumni Manager travels to major cities in Canada to host complimentary dinners for alumni in that area.

The Recovery Coaching offers coaching in over a dozen Canadian cities to help alumni stay active and engaged in their personal recovery. Returning home after treatment can be difficult for many clients and we want to be there for them.

Buddy Check Coffee is a Veteran run peer program offering comradeship in a relaxed environment, encouraging Veterans to network and share experiences and stories… while sipping coffee. Led by the Legion’s Operational Stress Injury Special Section (Legion OSI) and hosted by Legion members, Buddy Check Coffee is helping Veterans in their community connect and support each other.

Operation VetBuild is an initiative led by the Legion’s Operational Stress Injury Special Section (Legion OSI) that uses hobbies, such as scale model-building kits, in a Veteran-to-Veteran support environment. Working alongside their peers, the activity offers Veterans an opportunity to learn a new skill, promote relaxation, improve concentration, reduce stress, and provide a sense of community to enhance wellbeing. Sessions are hosted by Legion members and open to all Veterans in the community.

Project All In Foundation and “the coin” was created to help the first responder community start conversations about their mental wellness, help debrief calls, and ultimately to aid in suicide prevention. Taking the first step to ask for help can be hard. Members who have the All In coin can simply slide it forward towards another member and a conversation is initiated. The recipient of the coin can be an active listener or start the conversation if need be. The coin may also be presented to a friend or family member. Project All In recognizes the need for all first responders to have easier access to resources in support of their mental health and well being.

We know that silence, stigma, and suicide are our biggest enemies. Understanding that, we strongly believe that this program has the power to help our Nations Responders. Know that you are not alone in this fight, it is OK to ask for help and to bridge the gap to appropriate resources.

Peer support is a program for all frontline workers.