Veterans Transition Program

The Veteran’s Transition Program (VTP) at UBC is a group-based therapeutic program developed by the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education. Founded by Dr. Marvin Westwood and Dr. David Kuhl, the VTP helps former members of the Canadian military make the sometimes difficult transition back to civilian life.

Soldiers often bear witness to atrocities most people can’t begin to imagine. When they return home, plenty of programs are available to heal their bodies, but it’s often their minds and hearts that require the most attention.

It’s estimated up to 30% of soldiers are traumatized by active combat. Symptoms range from nightmares and insomnia to concentration difficulties and substance abuse. Without help, these veterans are almost twice as likely to commit suicide as their civilian counterparts.

The Veteran’s Transition Program at UBC is a resource for ex-soldiers trying to come to terms with the impact of their military experience. By working with doctors, psychologists, and each other, these men and women gain the information and skills necessary to reclaim their lives.

The Royal Canadian Legion BC/Yukon Command has been a key supporter of the VTP. Their generosity has led to the establishment of The Royal Canadian Legion Professorship in Group Counselling and Trauma, a position that will oversee the long-term goals of trauma repair through group counselling.

“The Legion understands that our new veterans need care and attention,” said David Sinclair, past President of the BC/Yukon Command of The Royal Canadian Legion. “Through partnerships with the University of British Columbia and other like-minded agencies, the Legion will be there and ready for our returning men and women in uniform.”

About 200 veterans have already participated in UBC’s Veteran’s Transition Program. Research and follow-ups have shown that participants suffered fewer traumatic symptoms and experienced greater self-confidence. Additionally, many had settled into new careers and reported improvement in personal relationships.

“It’s not simply a healing program,” says Tim Laidler, 26, who participated in the program before returning to the VTP as a paraprofessional to assist other soldiers with their recovery. “It’s about transitioning soldier skills into civilian skills, regaining what you may have lost overseas and building on your abilities.”

The Faculty of Education remains committed to using their research expertise to promote the well-being of the community. There are plans to expand the VTP to first responders in the police, fire department, and other emergency services. Depending on demand and available funding, the one of a kind services offered through the VTP may soon be available across British Columbia and the rest of Canada.

Shannon H. Pennington

The program is very much needed and supports our Canadian citizens who stepped up to the mark and carried our values forward into a very dangerous and violent world. Doing the rite thing by giving this program back to them means their lives can be richer and fuller without the leftovers of war always intruding on their headspace and more importantly their heartspaces. They deserve the best on return and this program is a good start. Well done. Moving this program ahead for Canadian First Responders in Fire, Law Enforcment and E.M.S. is a next step. Stress Education and Information on line is available at the web site firefighterveteran.com Suicide Prevention and Depression in the Fire Service was discussed in an emergency symposium in Baltimore Md. on July 11th and 12th 2011. Article on line by keying in to google search along with a radio program discussing ptsd in firefighterveterans in the Calgary and Alberta area. Get connected to the hydrant of information that is out there on the net. The emotional backdraft of the events we are exposed to is killing us as surley as any bullet from a rifle. The Honourable David C. Onley, Lt. Gov of the Province of Ontario talks about military and first responder stress on our web site. Have a read.

Shannon H. Pennington , Executive Director/Senior Chief
North American Fire Fighter Veteran Network in Canada
F.I.R.S.T. S.T.E.P. H.O.P.E.
care for the caregivers
F.I.R.E.S. Within Suicide Prevention Program
(First Responder/Firefighter Increased Risk Exposure to Suicide)

on the web: firefighterveteran.com
Cdn_chimo

The problem with this program is getting access to this while still serving in the Cf and trying to heal. The professionals that try to help us really don’t have a real idea on what they are dealing with as our cases differ so greatly and with this, most of us are trying to save our careers and get help. On the most part rely on meds and peer groups with people that fully understand and we trust. Trust is the big issue with us and having a clinician telling us what we are going through and how to heal, just makes us more drawn back from these clinics. Not all wounds are visable
http://www.facebook.com/people/Shannon-Kobe/100000156917657 Shannon Kobe

Go Private at the west coast post trauma retreat out of sanfrancisco…you own the notes …. supervised by 7 clinicians and you go one to one with a peer who has been where you are…and the peer has another person backing them up so they do not get toxic from your “stuff”….. now…can you afford that…yes….you still have a job in the Canadian Forces…check out the web site firefighterveteran.com and look at what is going on for wcptr and other places……clinicians your using are not necessairly culturally competent…but the peers are…sounds like your working through it and that you need to keep doing…..email firefighterveteran@hotmail.com or check out the web site….take care…
Anonymous

I’d also like to see UBC step forward with services specifically for veteran students coming back from Afghanistan, similar to what some public universities in the States are offering their vets. It’s easy to for both students and faculty to forget about the particular challenges facing the veteran learner in their classroom, or their classmate. Veterans of all ages deserve a special respect both in, and, outside of the learning environment.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Shannon-Kobe/100000156917657 Shannon Kobe

As a military veteran and as a firefighterveteran I agree with Ian about seeing UBC step up to the plate and offer additonal services on campus. To go beyond the trauma and the drama of war and peace and the pieces left behind in the heart and mind of the individual who served is something that is often not understood. Making a commitment to extending the extra help when new students who are veterans take classes that offer them the opportunity to move beyond and into an academic field of their choice returns the individual to a sense of community and peace. Nothing less would and will be the accepted norm and should be so now.
Shannon Pennington firefighterveteran.com

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Veterans Transition Program

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