Project Trauma Support
Project Trauma Support was launched in 2015 with the intention of
developing a program aimed at treating posttraumatic stress disorder and
moral injury in miltary members, veterans, and first responders. We
recognize the great contribution made by thase who protect us, and our
mission is to empower them to continue to serve. We maintain
confidentiality of the program and ask that participants not share details of
the programming and that they protect the personal Information of the
other participants and the peer mentors. This confidentiality s essential to
our program and must be respected during and after the program In order
to ensure that our participants have a safe and confidential environment to
share their stories.
The safety and wel—being of our participants and alumni is our first
priority. We maintain regular and open communication with our alumni
and are available to address any alumn| concerns directly at any time.
Our work with Project Trauma Support over the past 5 years has given us a
unique perspective on the ways in which one can be traumatized. Our focus is
on miltary members, veterans and fist responders who have had their
humanity tested because they were willng to put themselves in harm‘s way for
the benefit of society. We have heard many stories of operational trauma, but
sadly, also many stores of trauma from attack by others, which can often be
more damaging. Of particular focus in the news ight now are the stories of
sexval attack, affecting both men and women. We have leamed how sexual
trauma weaves complicated layers o Injury not only to individuals but also to
organizations and institutions. We have an obligation to better understand
seal trauma, the perpetuating and potentially alleviating influences, and ways
to minimize risk. If we are to truly help those who have been affected, we must
support them to be no longer indellbly marked by these experiences.


Our experience has been that the way to healing is through humility and self
reflection. Connection to one‘s own story, t others and to something greater
than oneself will allow transcendence to a healing path of peace and purpose.
We exist because we believe that people can find pathways to healing; they can
achieve different perspectives to move forward in e. With new insights, they
can make better choices. If we did not belleve that people could learn ways to
think and perceive differently, why would we have mental health
programming? Why would clinical psychologists exist?
We believe that what is needed at this time of unprecedented unrest and
suspicion, Is ruth and reconcilation. The truth cannot be realized by listening to
one side of the story. A prerequiste for reconcilation is compassion. We believe
that compassion isthe way forward. We encourage compassion for yourself,
compassion for your story, and for allo those in it. We believe that there is
nothing that cannot be made better by applying more love and less judgement.
For any who have been harmed by sexual trauma, we hear you. We know how
painful this is. We will devote our efforts to leaning more so that we can
support you better. For those of you who are caring to make a difference in the
tives of thse who have been injured as a result of thelr service, please join us.
2a {4 Z/

[~ gim # fk t .
Brig. Gen. (Re¥‘d) Paul Rutherford,
Chats, Project Trauma Support Board of Directors
—— f sms
Manuela Joarhou M.D. CCFP (EM) FFP
Medical Director, Project Trauma Support