Operational Stress Injury Clinic

The Operational Stress Injury Clinics (OSI Clinics) provide a specialized outpatient program that serves Veterans of the Canadian Forces, active Canadian Forces members, and eligible members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). OSI Clinics also provide services to family members of those individuals.

The Operational Stress Injury Clinic Fredericton is one of ten OSI Clinics run by Veterans Affairs Canada.

What is an operational stress injury (OSI)?

An operational stress injury (OSI) is any constant psychological problem resulting from operational duties performed while serving in the Canadian Forces (CF) or as a member of the RCMP. OSI is used to describe a broad range of problems which can include diagnosed medical conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as other conditions that may be less severe, but still interfere with daily functioning.

OSIs can affect significant others in the person’s life, leading to marital and family problems. OSIs can also be associated with physical symptoms such as stomach upset, headaches, or sleep problems and worsen chronic pain problems.

The symptoms and the injuries themselves vary from person to person as well as the nature of their experiences. For active CF members and Veterans, the injury may occur following combat duties, after serving in a war zone, in peacekeeping missions or following other traumatic or serious events not tied to combat.

RCMP officers may have been exposed to traffic accidents or situations of violence or may have been involved in a shooting or injured in the line of duty.

What is a traumatic event?

“Trauma” is different for everyone, but there are a number of events that can cause significant distress. These include, but are not limited to:

  • threat of death
  • serious injury
  • viewing or handling of bodies
  • death or serious injury of a close friend, colleague or family member
  • exposure to a potentially contagious disease or toxic agent
  • an action or inaction resulting in serious injury or death for others

What are common reactions?

Most people experience strong reactions after traumatic events which may include:

  • feelings of panic or anxiety
  • a desire to avoid anything attached to the event
  • feeling sad, tearful, hopeless, depressed, angry and/or guilty
  • increased consumption of alcohol or abuse of other substances
  • a change in personality
  • difficulties concentrating, disorientation and/or memory problems
  • sleep disturbances or excessive alertness
  • being easily startled
  • trouble controlling moods
  • difficulties with relationships
  • painfully reliving the event (while awake or asleep)
  • intrusive thoughts about the event

Often these reactions resolve themselves or go away soon after the event. However, at times they may continue.

How do I get referred to the clinic?

See “How to access services.”

How long will I wait for services?

New referrals are evaluated for urgency and other factors. Once your referral is received by the OSI Clinic, you will be contacted within 1 to 2 business days and the Psychiatric Nurse will discuss the next possible time for an intake appointment. Our objective is to arrange an initial appointment within 15 business days (3 weeks) of receiving a referral.

Am I eligible to use the OSI Clinic?

The referral sources are Veterans Affairs Canada, the Canadian Forces (CF), or the RCMP and they will determine whether you are eligible to receive services at the OSI Clinic. In a small number of cases, a person’s presenting issues and history make it clear that military or police service has not been the primary cause of their concerns. In these situations, we provide information on other services that may be more suitable for them.

Will going to the OSI Clinic hurt my professional career?

This is a common fear. Receiving treatment for an OSI does not mean your career will end. Most clients active in the CF or the RCMP discover that their careers are enhanced by the improvement in their coping abilities and quality of life. It is important to note that the decision to release from duties is made by the CF or the RCMP andnotby the OSI Clinic.

How many appointments do I get?

At the start of treatment we develop a treatment plan with each individual which establishes an initial commitment. As we work with people we eventually reach a point where both they and their service provider agree that services are no longer needed. There is mutual agreement to end the service.

Will I run into people I know at the OSI Clinic?

The OSI Clinic is a busy place and there is a chance that you may run into a colleague in the waiting area. We find that individuals are respectful in maintaining client confidentiality.

Does the OSI Clinic have inpatient beds?

We provide only outpatient services, however there is a Residential Treatment Clinic for Operational Stress Injuries through Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) at Ste. Anne’s Hospital near Montréal.

Can I access services on a walk-in basis?

Because of our mandate to provide services to clients from specific programs we are unable to accommodate walk-in clients. If you have already been to the OSI Clinic for at least one appointment you can call your therapist and request an earlier appointment, if it is available. However, if you are very distressed after hours or if you are not a client, you should call the Mobile Crisis Team at 506- 453-2132 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Otherwise all services are by scheduled appointment.

Are you open evenings or weekends?

We are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I am concerned about a family member who may have an OSI. What should I do?

You may be noticing changes in behaviors that may indicate your loved one has been severely affected by a stressful experience. If you cannot discuss it with your family member directly you should first talk to his or her family physician to report your concern. If you have more general questions or if you want more information about what the behavior may mean, we do provide brief consults to family members.

What kind of services can family members get?

See “Services for Family Members.”

The OSI clinic provides a range of specific services in the assessment and treatment of operational stress aimed at meeting the needs of Veterans, members of Canadian Forces (CF), RCMP, and their families. These services include:

  • Assessment of operational stress injuries (OSIs)
  • Treatment of OSIs through individual therapy, drug therapy, couple, group therapy and health education
  • Education to Veterans, active CF members, RCMP members and their families, as well as to other professionals and the general public
  • Education to community professionals and their assistants and the general public

To receive services, you must be referred by either VAC, the CF, or the RCMP. We do not take referrals directly from family doctors. For details, see “How to access services.” Because of the rules under which all OSI Clinics are established patients cannot refer themselves directly for services.

Operational Stress Injury Clinics (OSI Clinics) are specific outpatient programs that only serve Veterans of the Canadian Forces, active members of the Canadian Forces and active or retired members of the RCMP. If you are concerned that you may have been affected by operational stress related to your professional duties you should contact one of the following services in order to be referred to the clinic:

Veterans of the Canadian Forces or retired RCMP should speak to their Area Counselor at Veterans Affairs Canada or call the Contact Centre at 1-866-522-2122 (English) or 1-866-522-2022 (French).

Still serving members of the Canadian Forces should contact their physician or social worker on Base to discuss the concern.

Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police should speak to their Health Services Officer.

Persons with other types of military services should call the Contact Centre, at 1-866-522-2122 or 1-866-522-2022.

Download Veterans Affairs Canada’s official pamphlet on OSIs.

Because the health of Veterans, CF members and RCMP members is closely linked to the well-being of their loved ones Veterans Affairs Canada has established progressive and supportive policies that allow family members to use some services of the clinic.

You can meet with staff at the clinic to obtain information on OSIs and related health problems. This may assist you in coping with an OSI in your family or in identifying someone who may have one.

If your family member is currently being treated for an OSI, either at this OSI Clinic or with another provider, you may be eligible for supportive counseling to help with related family issues.

OSIs can have a serious impact on relationships. We provide couples therapy for clients whose relationships are being affected.

We also provide self-help literature for family members who wish to learn more about OSIs, related health problems, and other issues of concern.

There are many different professional groups represented at the OSI Clinic and each plays a unique role. This section gives a brief overview of those professions and what they can do to assist you.

  • Psychiatrist – a medical doctor (MD) who has taken an additional 4 to 5 years of training in mental health. Psychiatrists provide psychotherapy, medication therapy, and consultation. Their exclusive or unique service is the use of medication. A consult with a Psychiatrist would be recommended to assess your overall medical history, your specific OSI concerns and to discuss whether or not medication is an appropriate treatment.
  • Psychologist – a professional who has a Masters, or Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) (a doctorate, hence their use of “Doctor”) in psychology and qualifies as a Clinical Psychologist. Psychologists provide psychological assessments, psychotherapy, and consultation. Their exclusive or unique area of practice is standardized assessment. You would see a Psychologist for detailed testing, usually completed on paper, and for ongoing therapy.
  • Clinical Social Worker – a professional who has earned a Bachelor or Masters of Social Work degree. Most Clinical Social Workers have focused their training on working with couples and families and in their work they emphasize the impact of relationships on health. Clinical Social Workers may also provide individual therapy. Many clients at the clinic make use of our couple therapy services, since it helps support overall effectiveness in treatment.
  • Psychiatric Nurse – a professional who has earned a nursing degree, is qualified as a Registered Nurse in the province and has acquired additional experience in the assessment and treatment of mental health problems. They provide overall health assessments, continuity of care in between medical appointments, and health education on matters such as depression, anxiety, the effects of medication, and other topics.

There are no conferences scheduled at this time.

OSI Clinic / Clinique TSO Horizon Health
Carriage Place Mall
900 Hanwell Rd
Fredericton, NB

Tel. 506-474-2265
Fax: 506-474-2253

Email: osiclinic.fredericton@HorizonNB.ca