Multi-media journalist for CTV News Vancouver, Bhinder Sajan wrote an excellent article on a new initiative being sponsored by the White Rock Rotary Club and the Veterans Transition Program at UBC. The new program will provide mental health support to Ukrainians, both military and civilian, and is being called “Ukraine Trauma Support Initiative.” A memorandum of understanding was recently signed. 

The program will Train the Trainer for Ukrainian Counsellors and Allied Health Professionals. The project will be run through the Rotary Club and based on the successful University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Veteran Transition Network (VTN) Program.

Cascadia Priory is supporting this project and is actively involved in the development of a fundraising team to finance this worthwhile and long-term undertaking.

Alan Plett, a veteran and Prior of Cascadia Priory, participated in the launching and plans to assist; noting that “after an adrenaline rush there might be a reprieve, but the stress inevitably comes back”.

“Eventually the body wears out and there’s more down than up,” Plett added.

The hope is to provide Ukrainians with the training required to heal the injuries of the war so that they can rebuild.