WOUNDED WARRIORS CANADA LAUNCHES WARRIOR KIDS VIRTUAL PROGRAM
Today, we’re pleased to announce a new virtual program designed for children exposed to the secondary effects of trauma as a result of a Veteran or First Responder parent struggling with the effects of operational stress injuries such as PTSD.
The Warrior Kids Virtual Program builds on the success of the Wounded Warriors Canada Warrior Kids Camp. It is clinically designed to strengthen social connections, create supportive resources children and families can draw upon during stressful times, and help breakdown geographical barriers to mental health that exist in Canada.
“We have witnessed how resilience-based mental health programs can provide important protective factors for individuals exposed to traumatic events,” Scott Maxwell, Executive Director of Wounded Warriors Canada, commented. “Children and youth are susceptible to the secondary effects of trauma and we are pleased to be able to support them both in person, through our Warriors Kids Camps, and now with this virtual capability that will break down geographical barriers to mental health care.”
Each program will support up to 15 kids that will divided in age groups ranging from 9-12yrs and 13-16yrs. Participants will receive clinically facilitated, one hour sessions for six weeks and will work specifically to support the development of healthy peer connections and normalize their experiences around a parental mental health injury.
“While we are living in uncertain times, we can still come together as a community and support each other. Kids are vulnerable to being left behind in the complexity of parental mental health, however there is clear evidence that kids can adapt to adversity when they are provided with age-appropriate information regarding operational stress injuries,” Program developers Helena Hawryluk and Jerris Popik commented. “More importantly, this six week program aims to offer a safe and fun opportunity to learn why it’s important to express difficult feelings, and know they are not alone in their unique family experiences. This ultimately creates resilience in kids and their families.”
