NR 11.122 - October 22, 2011
OTTAWA - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, is pleased to announce the official launch of Shoulder to Shoulder - a multi-faceted program that will provide sustained integrated and compassionate support to families of fallen Canadian Forces (CF) members. Under the new initiative, families will be provided with coordinated administrative, peer and professional support, as well as the tools and assistance needed to navigate and master a complex administrative system.
“The array of services available under Shoulder to Shoulder and the fact that they are no longer limited by time will respect the unique journey of each grieving family member, and allow the Canadian Forces to pay meaningful tribute to each family’s sacrifice in support of Canada,” said Minister MacKay. “Families of fallen Canadian Forces members remain part of the Canadian Forces community and this initiative will help ensure that they are never forgotten.”
The announcement was made at an intimate gathering, which included families of the fallen along with representatives of the Department of National Defence, and CF leadership. The families who attended are also volunteers who provide confidential peer support to the families of deceased CF personnel. This initiative serves as a true demonstration of the CF’s ongoing commitment to families.
The assistance provided to families in the immediate aftermath of a death has evolved over the past several years, and the level of support now available has progressed as a result of hard won experience. Access to long-term, on-going assistance through the nearest Integrated Personnel Support Centre will ensure that families always have somewhere to turn to and maintain a close connection with the CF. Their local Military Family Resource Centre will also be there, providing information, assistance, child care services and self-help groups.
Other available services include the Family Information Line with supportive counselling, information and specialized referrals; bereavement counselling and therapy by a trained counsellor available through the CF Member Assistance Program; spiritual and religious support, and counselling from CF chaplains; support through HOPE (Helping Others by Providing Empathy), a network of volunteers who draw on their own experiences to assist and provide confidential peer support to the families; and moderated message boards and virtual chats on www.familyforce.ca/sites/Shouldertoshoulder to connect with other military families who have experienced a loss.
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For more information about Shoulder to Shoulder and the organizations leading the initiatives, please refer to the following link: http://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/DMFS/index.asp
