Program services

On this page

• Eligibility
• Peer Support groups and activities
• Application and intake process
• Feedback
• Contact us

From a peer: “Being a participant was a great benefit, allowed me to be vulnerable, speak and share. Felt empowering to be a part of the community. To connect and be validated.”

Eligibility

To participate, you must:

• be either a current or former CAF member, Veteran, DND public service employee, Cadet or Junior Canadian Ranger
• be 18 years and older
• have experienced sexual misconduct and/or military sexual trauma (MST) during your service or in your workplace
• have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with an internet connection
• for group services, be willing to take part in a virtual intake meeting with a Peer Support Regional Coordinator prior to the start of the first group session

Peer Support groups and activities

Offering a confidential and safer space where you can:

• connect
• discuss
• share
• explore coping mechanisms
• enter a healing journey in a supportive environment

All services:

• are free
• are hosted virtually via MS Teams
• are available in both English or French
• require pre-registration before the first session

Types of groups

Informal

This group offers sessions for peers to come together, find companionship, and talk about topics related to their experiences. Sessions may include relaxation activities that support the mental wellbeing of participants.

Group duration: Up to 8 virtual sessions of 90 minutes each
Hosted by: Two trained peer supporters
Discussion topics: Chosen by participants
Group size: Up to 10 participants per group
Commitment: Drop-in, meaning once registered, participation is flexible. You can attend as many as you like

Dates and time:

• English: Wednesday, February 5 to March 26, 2025, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST
• English: Thursday, February 6 to March 27, 2025, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST
• French: Thursday, February 6 to March 27, 2025, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST

Registration is now closed.

Formal

This group combines educational material with peer support where participants can learn, grow and heal together. Learning opportunities will focus on topics relevant to sexual misconduct and military sexual trauma, and group discussions will be facilitated.

Group duration: Up to 10 virtual sessions of 90 minutes each
Hosted by: A trained peer supporter and a mental health professional
Discussion topics: Predetermined and include impacts of trauma, moral injury, boundaries, coping, self-care, and more
Group size: Up to 8 participants per group
Commitment: Closed group, meaning no new participants can join after the first session. Participants are requested to attend all group sessions

Dates and time:

• English: Tuesday, January 21 to March 25, 2025, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST 
• French: Tuesday, January 21 to March 25, 2025, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST

Registration is now closed.

Group composition

The Formal and Informal Group composition for the winter schedule is mixed gender. If you have specific preferences regarding group composition, you can share them during the program intake process. We will do our best to accommodate these requests when possible.

Activities

We offer activities that may include, but are not limited to, mini-series, workshops, events, and guest speakers related to peer experiences.

Men’s Virtual Coffee Chat

Men's Virtual Coffee Chat is an informal peer support activity where men from diverse backgrounds can support each other and build connections.  
In response to feedback from community members, this activity aims to support men who have been affected by sexual misconduct seek help free of judgment and foster a sense of connection with others. Men can discuss important topics such as trauma, masculinity, healing, wellbeing after trauma and more.

Duration: 75 minutes
Hosted by: a Peer Support Program regional coordinator, who has extensive experience supporting men affected by sexual misconduct and military sexual trauma and facilitating men's groups.
Discussion topics: Guided by participants
Group size: Up to 10 participants per chat
Commitment: Drop-in, meaning once registered, participation is flexible. You can attend as many as you like.

You are welcome to drink coffee, water, juice or nothing at all during this activity, as you prefer.

Dates and time:

English coffee chats

• Monday, March 10, 2025; 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST 
• Wednesday, March 19, 2025; 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST
• Monday, March 24, 2025; 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST

French coffee chats

• Wednesday, March 12, 2025; 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST
• Monday, March 17, 2025; 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST
• Wednesday, March 26, 2025; 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST

Registration is now closed.

Additional peer support activities will be offered this summer. Keep an eye on this webpage and our social media channels for details.

Application and intake process

To participate in or to learn more about program services, please email SMSRCPSP-CSRISPSP@forces.gc.ca or contact the SMSRC 24/7 line to be referred to the Peer Support Program at 1-844-750-1648.

Groups

Once we receive your email or referral, you can expect the following:

1. A Peer Support Regional Coordinator (RC) will reply to your communication within one to two business days and send you an intake form in your language of choice.
2. With their help, you can complete the form and return it to them.
3. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt email.
4. An RC will then contact you to schedule an intake meeting for the Informal or Formal Peer Support Group in your language of choice.
5. The intake meeting with an RC will occur before the first session where, they will explain in more detail the format and structure of the group and discuss your readiness to participate. Additionally, they will review the Program’s code of conduct, consent, confidentiality, and safety and emergency protocols.
6. After the intake meeting, the Regional Coordinator will follow up to confirm your spot in the group and provide you with the dates and times of the upcoming group sessions.

Activities

Once we receive your email or referral, a Peer Support Regional Coordinator (RC) will reply to your communication within one to two business days. This person will then send you an intake and a consent form in your language of choice. After your completion and return of both of those forms, the Peer Support RC will register you for the activity.

The Peer Support Program will regularly update and communicate with all interested peers who have submitted their intake form about the status of their intake process.

Feedback

Your feedback is important in shaping the support services we provide. After each session, we will gather feedback through anonymous and voluntary online surveys.  There may be an opportunity to also participate in a post-program one-to-one discussion with a program staff member.

As we continue to collect and review feedback and evaluation forms, the program team will consider all recommendations to improve the services we offer.

Contact us

For more information, contact us by email at SMSRCPSP-CSRISPSP@forces.gc.ca. You can also contact the SMSRC 24/7 line at 1-844-750-1648, and a counsellor will refer you to the program.