Program services

On this page

• Eligibility
• Activities
• Groups
• 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

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.
New coffee chats will be offered in the fall.

Discover Creative Coping

Discover Creative Coping is a free two-part virtual event hosted on MS Teams. This event was designed for peers affected by sexual misconduct and military sexual trauma to connect and explore coping strategies.

Participants will engage in drawing intricate patterns within small squares or rectangles using simple lines, curves, and dots. The focus lies on fostering relaxation, creativity, and the therapeutic benefits of artistic expression. This meditative art form is inspired on the principles of the Zentangle^© Method, created by Maria Thomas and Rick Robert. Learn more about this art method (Zentangle.com (You are now leaving the Government of Canada website)).

Part one: Introduction to meditative art

In part one of the Discover Creative Coping event, participants will explore coping mechanisms for managing strong emotions, thoughts, and reactions post-trauma over an introductory discussion.

Rita Martine-Perez, a visual artist and registered Zentangle^© Method instructor will then lead an interactive presentation on mediative art. Participants will have the opportunity to start their own projects.

• Duration: 90 minutes
• Hosted by: a member of the Peer Support Program team and Rita
• Group size: Up to 10 participants per event
• Requirement: Participants need to have access to writing materials (pen, pencil, paper; colored pencils optional)

Dates and time:

• English
  • Thursday, July 10, 2025; 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST
• French
  • Thursday, July 17, 2025; 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST

Part two: Discussion and coping skills

Part two of the event will be held two weeks after part one. Participants will reconnect to continue receiving peer support and further explore the Zentangle® Method as a coping skill.

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Hosted by: a member of the Peer Support Program team, Rita, and a mental health professional for individual support, if needed
• Group size: Up to 10 participants per event
• Requirement: Participants need to have access to writing materials (pen, pencil, paper; colored pencils optional)

Dates and time:

• English
  • Thursday, July 24, 2025; 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST
• French
  • Thursday, July 31, 2025; 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST

Register by June 27, 2025.

Groups

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
• New groups will be offered in the fall.

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
• New groups will be offered in the fall.

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.

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 respond within one to two business days. They will send you an intake and a consent form in your preferred official language. After you complete and return both 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. Peers who take part in program services will be invited to take part in anonymous and voluntary online surveys. There may be an opportunity to also participate in a post-service one-to-one discussion with a program staff member.

As we continue to collect and review feedback, 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.