The Canadian Mental Health Association is bringing a new program to Portage. It is called OSI CAN and it is designed to help those suffering from PTSD by giving them a safe place to speak with people who can relate. CMHA Central Executive Director Sean Miller has details.

"It's a peer-led support group," says Miller. "So, it's not a clinical or therapeutic intervention but really it utilizes peers. Peers coming together to support each other there's no diagnoses or referral required to attend these meetings. It's simply police, firefighters, paramedics, veterans, and military service members that are coming together to a safe and open environment."

Miller adds many people suffer in silence, and they tend to feel more comfortable knowing they're not alone.

"Research suggests that peer support provides no lesser and no greater benefit than conventional medical approaches," says Miller. "It's not a replacement for it but it really is a compliment to traditional medical intervention. It is a great way that we can support people in the community that has invested their lives to serving and protecting the public."

Portage is the first place these meetings will be tested in Manitoba, after success in Saskatchewan. CMHA hopes to eventually expand the program throughout this province.

The first meeting will be on July 18th at the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation building, and there will be a weekly meeting every Thursday after that.

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