We are very much a team. The program manager for the OSISS program at the moment, Major Carl Walsh, has a master's degree in social work. In addition to managing and leading the program, he also has that capacity to assist them when there are mental health issues at play or to help the staff with resiliency.
Also on the Veterans Affairs side, there are mental health practitioners there who provide us with the training for our peers and who are also there to assist peers who may be going through issues themselves. Of course interacting on a daily basis with those with mental health issues can spark memories for them, and we have to keep a close watch and assist them with their resiliency as well.
There are no other mental health professionals, because a big part of the OSISS program is trust. The confidentiality of the program is hugely important to those who come into the program, and they understand that they are dealing strictly with a peer until such time as they're ready to step forward and receive that treatment. As soon as they do, OSISS has an in with the medical clinic to get people into treatment.