Realistic Goal Setting

This topic surfaced a couple of weeks ago during our Peer Support Meeting. The discussion was in setting realistic goals each day. The focus was making sure the goal was achievable. It didn’t matter how small the goal but it could be done. It might be getting up at a certain time. It might be to step outside for a short time. It might be having a shower to start your day, having a bubble bath or washing the dishes.

In this way the process begins to build self-worth and confidence. This leads to creating slivers of HOPE.

Quite awhile ago one of the members talked about creating positives by viewing things as half-full as opposed to half empty. This direction is what Peer Support is all about and the Road to Recovery.

What does this mean to you?

Peer Support Group Leader, Leigh

Our mission is to inspire hope and contribute to the continuous well-being and recovery process of Veterans and Front Line Protectors across Canada.

We seek to empower and encourage them to strive for recovery through peer and professional support while creating greater public awareness.

We at OSI-CAN do not see PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a Disorder, we see it as an Injury you can recover from. If you are suffering from the symptoms of an Occupational or Operational Stress Injury, then a PTSD or PTSI diagnosis is not required to get our help

The target demographic of OSI-CAN are but are not limited to: former and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Allied Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Frontline Protectors --- which include Municipal Police Services, CN Police Services, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Protection Services, Wildland Firefighters, Hospital Trauma personnel, Nurses, healthcare Workers, Social Workers, Animal Control Officers, Coroners, Indigenous Emergency Management, Victim Services Personnel, Emergency Communications Specialist, Corrections Officers, “Volunteer” First Responders, Conservation Officers, Aboriginal Emergency Services personnel, Tow Truck drivers who clean up accident scenes and their spouses/partners. This demographic was chosen due to the commonality of experiences they share through the service they provide to the country and community. We have a special interest and support volunteer first responders as they are not eligible for programs such as Workers' Compensation.

What If ...

On a personal reflection. I found occasionally I drifted on the ‘what if’ rather than recognizing what if is out of my control. Focusing on what if has no value. I can recall early in my policing career thinking of the what if and quickly realized I had no control over what might or could happen and I was wasting valuable energy. My best response was to accept I only had control of me and to put what if in my rear view mirror. To remain focused on the areas I actually had control of which was to accept I could control my own destiny and to only deal with what if only, when it became a reality. Then to take it as a challenge to be overcome. The saying ‘If its to be, it's up to me’ certainly applies.

Topics Blog 3

WHEN ONE LIVES WITHOUT HOPE, THE WILLINGNESS TO DO IS PARALYZED.

… IT IS BEING DISABLED, NOT BY ILLNESS OR DISEASE, BUT BY DESPAIR.

Signs of Recovery

I know that I am moving forward in my recovery when…

• …I find myself questioning people who say I will not recover

• …I become more aware of those things that I am good at.

• …I know what I can handle and what I need to share with the professionals.

• …I am able to set up safeguards for myself.

• …I learn from my peers and get support from them.

• …I see trouble coming before it arrives.

• …I think I may have a chance.

• …I know who and what’s not good for me.

• …I realize what sets me off and stresses me out.

• …I know how to work the system.

• …I know when my behaviour is appropriate and inappropriate.

• …I am able to hear “hope” from my peers – “Hang in there, its not forever”

• …I know the difference in symptoms and stigma and am developing coping skills for each.

• …I believe I can recover.

• …I know when to leave a situation because it has given me all it can.

• …I realize that my past life has value.

• …I know when I need a special kind of help and seek it out.

• …I know that sharing with peers helps put things in perspective.

The above is provided in order to see the importance of instilling HOPE in our daily lives and try to view things in positives.

Peer Support Group Leader, Leigh