Canada’s 629,000 veterans have higher rates of depression, anxiety and substance use disorder than civilians. One in seven veterans is living with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a psychological response to the experience of intense traumatic or life-threatening events. PTSD can affect people of any age, culture or gender. That’s why the work carried out at Dimensions in Haliburton County is so important.
Thanks to support and guidance of Veterans Affairs Canada, there is a safe place for veterans in need of help for their PTSD. Dimensions, a retreat center in Algonquin Highlands, has treated nearly 200 veterans and is planning to expand their programs to include first responders.
CanoeFM recently spoke with a veteran whose life was dramatically changed at Dimensions, as well as the clinical psychotherapist that works with veterans to improve their quality of life and deal with their PTSD symptoms.