More support for spouses of PTSD sufferers
Program helps people learn to cope when spouse has work-related stress disorder
Prince Albert is almost a two-hour drive from Jessi’s home, but every two weeks she makes the trek to the city to meet with a support group for spouses of people with work-related post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I have never considered not going. The weather was bad and I was like, ‘Oh, I guess I’ll have to leave a little earlier.’ … It’s that important to me,” said Jessi, who didn’t want her last name published.
Jessi’s husband is a military veteran and has an occupational stress injury, also known as an OSI — work-related PTSD.
OSI-CAN, a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Royal Canadian Legion, began the spousal support groups in Prince Albert and Regina in September. A support group is expected to launch in Saskatoon next month.
“It’s had a wonderful impact on my life and I can’t imagine being without them,” Jessi said.
“Now I have a group of people that I can confide in and share information with, and they all are experiencing similar things so they know what I’m talking about … whereas before I was just dealing on my own and trying to find my own answers and not having anyone to share any of that with.”
The spousal support group is a “program within the program,” said Julius Brown, provincial coordinator for OSI-CAN.
OSI-CAN’s initial support program, running since January 2016, is geared to members and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces, and first responders who work for the police, emergency medical services, fire and protective services, and corrections facilities.
The spousal support meetings are for adults and are closed to the person with OSI, so that spouses can discuss more freely.
Brown said OSI-CAN hopes to have a family support group that will include children at some point.
People with OSI can experience dissociation and isolation, and “separate themselves from their loved ones. They even stop feeling the ability to emotionally connect,” Brown said.
People can develop PTSD after being injured on the job, witnessing a death or an injury, or being threatened.
Their OSI can have a number of symptoms, including verbal aggression, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, depression, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance and frightening thoughts.
As a result, spouses or caregivers can experience burnout or compassion fatigue, can develop unhealthy coping habits, and can even develop PTSD themselves.
“You have to do the self-care things so you can be that support person,” Jessi said. “For me, the OSI-CAN meetings are part of my self-care, so that I can continue to help (my husband) and continue to be there for him.”
Jessi said meetings are tailored to members’ wants and needs.
In Prince Albert, they have had sessions on different treatments for PTSD and workers’ compensation, and are considering hosting a naturopath. Sometimes they just generally share experiences and vent.
To attend the spousal support group, your loved one doesn’t have to be part of the OSI-CAN group.
In Regina, meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Contact Denise at 203979-8101 for more information.
In Prince Albert, call Jessi at 306-984-7372 for meeting times and locations.