'Wellness' is our ability to live a satisfying and balanced life through the combined use of our physical, mental, spiritual, social and material resources. Effective use of these resources to meet the challenges of daily life provides a feeling of satisfaction and control over our lives. It makes sense, then, that we learn to build and protect each of these resources to support our overall wellness. The Wellness Kit is about learning how to do this.

The Wellness Kit was developed for Canadian Forces members and their families making the transition from military to civilian life. Through our research, Canadian Forces families have told us that transition to civilian life can present many challenges. For example, releasing Canadian Forces members may have physical disabilities or be experiencing psychological problems; and the family may be leaving behind a supportive group of friends and neighbours. Changes in income and housing may also present problems.

The Wellness Kit is a series of fact sheets designed to provide you with information and suggestions that may apply to your particular situation. The topics were chosen to reflect the major challenges of military personnel and families in transition. Each fact sheet will help you assess an issue; decide what to do; and suggest ways to approach it. In addition, each fact sheet provides suggestions to help you find further information and community resources that can offer assistance.

The Wellness Kit is intended to be a family resource that you use as needed. Some of the fact sheets could be of use to anyone, like those on healthy eating, exercise or mental health. Others will apply only if you are experiencing a particular problem such as chronic pain or family conflict.We suggest that you browse through the kit and select topics of interest to you. We encourage you to share this information with family members and friends. We hope that The Wellness Kit will contribute to the wellness of you and your family, adding to your knowledge and skills and directing you to other resources that will offer support.