You’re not alone
Eggshells is a virtual counselling and peer support program created for Veterans and Veteran Families navigating the impact of a loved one’s substance use. Whether your loved one is in active addiction, seeking or receiving treatment, or in recovery — Eggshells is here for you.
We know how heavy it can feel to carry concern, grief, and uncertainty. That’s why Eggshells offers a safe and confidential circle of care where families can begin to understand, heal, and reconnect — one step at a time.
Our Principles
Safety
Healing from trauma requires a safe space. When substance use affects a family, trust erodes. At Eggshells, we rebuild trust and ensure safety, helping families calm nerves and heal.
Compassion
Our program is trauma-sensitive. We listen, encourage exploration, connect you with others, and support your growth. We emphasize self-compassion and help you understand your reactions.
Connection
Isolation can worsen for those impacted by a loved one’s substance use, so we focus on building community. Eggshells helps you develop essential peer support networks for continued growth and recovery.
Expertise
We develop evidence-based programs with those affected by substance use and experts in family systems. Our team combines professional knowledge with personal recovery insights to guide healing.
Healing
Focusing on your healing realigns your life with core values. This can inspire loved ones dealing with substance use. Everyone deserves care; by healing yourself, you can better support those around you while continuing to prioritize your wellbeing.
Get Quick Answers to Your Questions
We’re here to help. Here are answers to some common questions about Eggshells.
Eggshells is a trauma-informed mental health and peer support program tailored to the unique experiences of Veterans and Veteran Families. It brings together licensed counsellors, addictions specialists, and peer supporters with real military and Veteran experience, so that every session is rooted in understanding, not judgment.
At Eggshells, families are not only defined by blood, marriage, or adoption. We don’t define family by identifying ‘dependents’. We define “family” as key relationships – deep bonds and personal connections – rooted in love, care, and support.
If you are a Canadian Veteran or a current, late or former Veteran spouse or partner, a parent, adult child, sibling, extended family member, or chosen family member who has or had a strong personal connection with a Veteran, you may be eligible for Eggshells.
You may be eligible for Eggshells if you are Veteran-connected and impacted by a loved one’s substance use, for example…:
- If you grew up in a multigenerational home and your Grandmother was a Veteran (even if your grandparent is now deceased).
- If your current, late or former spouse is a Veteran.
- If you have a sibling or a sibling-like relationship with your best buddy, who is a Veteran.
- If you have a strong parental bond with a child, stepchild, foster child, or godchild who is a Veteran.
- If you are an Auntie to a Veteran (i.e., a trusted woman in your community who may not be biologically related) or if your Auntie is a Veteran.
- If you have a deep connection with a Veteran but are not related by blood, marriage or adoption, but you are deeply impacted (e.g., mentally, emotionally, financially) by a Veteran’s substance use.
To be eligible for Eggshells, you must be a Veteran or be Veteran-connected, meaning you have a deep connection to a Canadian Veteran. If you have a distant relative or a ‘friend of a friend’ who is a Veteran, and you don’t have a deep connection with them, you are not eligible for Eggshells.
Contact Us to find out if Eggshells is a fit for you.
*Note: Eggshells is not a treatment program for substance use.
Once you fill out the Contact Us form, you will receive an email from the Program Coordinator, a military family member. They will arrange a preliminary call with you to talk about Eggshells and let you know if you are eligible to participate.
If you are eligible for Eggshells, a member of the Clinical Team will then contact you to schedule an intake conversation.
Your digital profile and personal information is safe, secure and accessible only to the Eggshells Program Team.
While it may be the Veteran who is using substances, Eggshells is open to anyone who is Veteran-connected and impacted by a loved one’s substance use. For example, you might be impacted by the substance use of a spouse or partner, an ex-spouse or partner, a parent, a sibling, an adult child, or a former colleague or peer. If you are not sure if you are eligible, simply Contact Us, and if Eggshells isn’t a fit for you, we will do our best to find an alternate program that meets your needs.
No. While the Veteran in your family may have an OSI (such as post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and/or military sexual trauma), it is not a requirement to participate in Eggshells.
Eggshells is a trauma-informed, evidence-based mental health program led by qualified clinicians with professional expertise, lived experience, and specialized training in trauma-informed care. At Eggshells, we understand the depth and complexity of trauma within a Veteran Family context, including its impacts on family wellbeing.
Yes, we encourage all adult family members (18 years of age or older) to participate in Eggshells. In group counselling, each family member would participate in a different group.
If you are Veteran-connected, you may be eligible, even if you are no longer partnered with a Veteran.
If you are not sure if you are eligible, simply Contact Us, and if Eggshells isn’t a fit for you, we will do our best to find an alternate program to meet your needs.
There is no cost to participate in Eggshells for qualified Veterans and Veteran family members in Canada.
Eggshells is a pilot project funded by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) until March 2027.
For more information about Eggshells and to find out whether you are eligible to participate, Contact Us.
No, you do not need a referral from VAC or a client number. You can self-refer or be referred by a professional by completing the Contact Us form.
Eggshells is not a VAC program, though it receives funding from VAC. Eggshells is 100% confidential.
No one outside of the Eggshells Program Team will know that you are participating in Eggshells unless you share this information with others.
If you are in a group program, the other members of your group will know you by your first name. As the Veteran community is relatively small, there is a very slight chance that you may know someone in your group. The participants will all agree to keep the conversations in the group confidential and will commit to protecting your privacy.
If you are not comfortable with your group, we will do our best to find another group or switch to individual counselling sessions.
Eggshells provides counselling, education, and peer support in Canada to Veterans and Veteran Families impacted by a loved ones’ substance use.
Many countries have regulations that impact our ability to offer Eggshells to anyone living outside of Canada. If you are a Canadian Veteran Family living outside of Canada, you may be eligible for the program. To find out if you are eligible to participate in Eggshells, speak to our Program Coordinator page.
Eggshells is a program offered by Legacy West Healing, a non-profit organization providing programs and services designed exclusively for families impacted by substance use in Canada.
Legacy West Healing is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Eggshells also receives guidance from Advisors, who are subject matter experts in military and Veteran experiences, family dynamics, mental health, and substance use.
Information about the Legacy West Healing Board of Directors and Eggshells Advisors can be found on Our Team page.
