First responders and military personnel struggling with mental-health challenges soon will have access to more supports, thanks to $1 million in provincial funding to expand Honour Ranch. 

Honour Ranch is run by the Honour House Society and is located on the North Thompson River. It provides new and affordable treatment options for people struggling with the psychological disorders that can result from the trauma and stress of their jobs. Honour Ranch services are available free of charge to active or retired first responders or military personnel.

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“Honour Ranch is an important Kamloops-based mental-health service,” said Todd Stone, MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson. “This funding will help to expand this safe haven for the brave individuals in B.C. who risk their own safety to help save lives.”

The provincial funding will support the construction of new accommodations for individuals undergoing care for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the ranch. The accommodations will be constructed in a village-like setting, with a number of comfortable and private “tiny homes.” In addition to providing PTSD treatment, the ranch provides resiliency training and prevention programs.

“This $1-million grant will literally save many lives of our first responders and military personnel,” said Allan De Genova, president, Honour House Society. “This government has supported Honour House from the very beginning when we needed to build a home away from home for our men and women in uniform and their families to provide a place to stay while they receive treatment in the Lower Mainland. Now Honour Ranch has been made possible, so we can provide much-needed therapy to those in need. We are so appreciative to have had the Ministry of Health provide further support for such an important project.”

Established in 2010, Honour House Society provides services through Honour House in New Westminster and Honour Ranch in Kamloops. Honour House provides temporary housing free of charge for emergency services and military personnel and their families while they receive medical care and treatment in Metro Vancouver. Honour Ranch opened in October 2016, and provides a rural retreat facility where first responders and military personnel can seek refuge and respite from mental-health issues.

Learn More:

Honour House: honourhouse.ca/