Mental Health Programs and Services

Canadian Armed Forces Chaplains

Religious and spiritual caregivers, providing support and advice to the CofC, CAF members and their families. 

Eligibility: Primarily CAF members; however, family members are included when necessary.
Service Provider Details: Some Chaplains also possess a mental health services background and provide some counselling, while others can make referrals to qualified professionals within the CAF community.
Specifics and/or Limitations: Chaplains are on call 24/7 to provide multi-faith support and guidance to members and their families at no cost. Mental Health Chaplains vary by location.

Providers of mental health and psychosocial programs and services for CAF members.

Eligibility: Primarily CAF members; however, includes family for those clinical activities that are in direct support of the CAF member’s care or treatment.
Service Provider Details: CF Health Services is the main provider of mental health services for the CAF. Providers may include psychiatrist, psychology, social worker, mental health nurse, addiction counsellors and/or Health Services Chaplains. In smaller locations if no CAF service providers are available, the CAF member and their family may be referred to programs and services in their local community.
Specifics and/or Limitations:
- Providing information on local psychosocial and mental health services available to CAF member and family members including referral to these resources.
- Consultation: i.e. obtaining information from a family member, as part of a mental health assessment.
- Crisis Intervention: exceptional circumstance.
- Provision of psycho-education.
- Provision of marital and family therapy.

Confidential, 24/7 line to help with well-being and work performance concerns.

Eligibility: CAF community including Regular Force, Reserve Force, Cadets and their families.
Service Provider Details: Offered by professional counsellors through the Employee Assistance Services of Health Canada.
Specifics and/or Limitations: No cost, focus on short-term counselling, maximum of eight sessions per situation, will refer to the local community if necessary.

Supportive counselling seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Eligibility: Spouse, partner, child, parent or relative of a CAF member, including families of the fallen.
Service Provider Details: FIL counsellors provide supportive counselling seven days a week, 24 hours a day. By calling the FIL, you will be connected to friendly, experienced professionals who are well-versed on CAF communities and services. 
Specifics and/or Limitations: Short-term supportive counselling is conducted virtually via phone or video.

Employed by MFRCs, support for families coping with an illness, injury, death or special need.

Eligibility: All family members of an ill or injured CAF member, Regular or Reserve Force, including families of the fallen.
Service Provider Details: An MFRC employee - social worker/counsellor located within the Integrated Personnel Support Centre.
Specifics and/or Limitations: No cost, short-term intervention for individual, family or group counselling.
Contact Information: Locate your nearest MFRC or call Family Information Line 1-800-866-4546 or email FIL@cfmws.com.

Specialized assessment and treatment programs for those with OSIs.

Eligibility: CAF member or Veteran and their family members.
Service Provider Details: Each clinic has a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, and other specialized clinicians who understand the experience and needs of Veterans.
Specifics and/or Limitations: In addition to services at OSI clinics, you may also need services from a specialized centre if addiction issues require more intensive treatment. To make OSI clinic services more widely available, satellite service sites are located across Canada.

Psychoeducational or psychosocial programs on military lifestyle issues.

Eligibility: Spouse, partner, child, parent or relative of a CAF member.
Service Provider Details: MFRC mental health team may include counsellors, psychotherapists, psychology or social workers.
Specifics and/or Limitations: Programs vary by location. No referral is necessary, though some centres can offer treatment for specific mental health diagnoses with referral. No cost, focus on short-term counselling, can be individual or group.
Contact Information: Call Family Information Line 1-800-866-4546 or email FIL@cfmws.com. 
Military Family Services Program Mental Health Services Framework

Supplementary insurance benefits for families of CAF members.

Eligibility: Families (including spouse and dependents) of CAF members as defined by Canada Life.
Service Provider Details: A portion of the Public Service Health Care Plan coverage includes access to treatment by a psychologist.
Specifics and/or Limitations: Eligible for up to $2,000 per calendar year for psychologist. Requires a physician's referral, good for one year. In isolated postings, where no psychologist is available locally, the services of a social worker apply as an alternative.

Confidential, 24/7 line for all Veterans, their families and caregivers.

Service Provider Details: The VAC Assistance Service provides free, short-term psychological support with a mental health professional. When you contact the VAC Assistance Service, you will speak to a mental health professional. They will help identify your needs and make an appropriate referral to a local mental health professional. You can usually receive an appointment within five working days.
Specifics and/or Limitations: You can receive between one and up to 20 hours of confidential support through this service. The number of hours will depend on the nature, severity and urgency of the issue.