Camp Aftermath is a one-year, three-phase program which includes a screening process in Phase 1, a 6-8 day volunteering and therapeutical activities itinerary in Phase 2, and a one-year follow-up in Phase 3. With mental health experts oversight, this program will aim provide participants with long-term management of OSI/PTSD through volunteerism and the development of positive habits.

The main focus of the Camp Aftermath program is for participants achieve a sense of self-realization, with hope for a brighter and healthier future. The one-year follow up is aimed to ensure participants are not only held accountable to themselves but to the group as well. This will be achieved through weekly “check-ins” with mental health experts’ oversight.

Camp Aftermath is the current project of the Ottawa-based Aftermath Association, a Canadian registered charity, with membership open to anyone who shares its goals and ideals. Future projects will also aim to respond to human need with human care.

The story of Camp Aftermath begins with our founder, Farid Yaghini, a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Despite experiencing traumatic events while serving overseas, Farid did not develop post-traumatic stress disorder like many of his fellow service men and women. Mental health professionals concluded that his philanthropic deeds overseas helped him after witnessing disturbing events during active service. These were his “positive anchors” during difficult moments.

This realization evolved into a question: what if people living with PTSD could be assisted with cultivating “positive anchors” to replace the memory of negative experiences?

This question led to an idea and concept of the one-year, three-phase program called Camp Aftermath, where military members, veterans and first responders living with PTSD  or experiencing mental health problems as a consequence of their duties in public safety roles could go to begin a journey of self-realization, primarily through volunteerism, combined with therapeutic activities.