Support for the CF Community

Support on Base

Trained counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Veterans Affairs Canada helps CF members and their families on-site at many CF locations.

Every releasing Regular Force member or medically releasing Reserve Force member can take part in a VAC Transition Interview. This is an interview between the releasing CF member and a member of his or her local VAC Client Service Team (CST). During the interview a CF member receives:

• information about the full range of VAC services, benefits and programs;
• help in developing a plan to organize his/her transition from military to civilian life;
• health care information;
• contact numbers for VAC and other government departments; and
• contact numbers for community and local service providers who may be of help during or after release.

CF members are encouraged to include their family in this interview.

Telephone Support and Referral to Community Support

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Assistance Service

The VAC Assistance Service provides former CF members, former RCMP members, war Veterans, and their families with access to short-term professional counselling services. If urgent support is needed, face-to-face counselling can be arranged with a professional counsellor in the individual's community. The VAC Assistance Service can be accessed 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-268-7708 or TDD 1-800-567-5803.

The Member Assistance Program

The Member Assistance Program is a voluntary and confidential service, initiated by the Canadian Forces, to help members and their families who have concerns that affect their personal well-being and/or work performance. The Employee Assistance Service of Health Canada provides these services. CF members or members of their family who wish to talk to a professional counsellor, or to make an appointment, can call the Member Assistance Program, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 1-800-268-7708.

Peer Support

Operational Stress Injury Social Support Program (OSISS)

OSISS is a national DND peer support network to help those suffering from operational stress injuries as a direct result of military service. This program, supported by VAC, is available to Canadian Forces (CF) members, Veterans, and their family members. For confidential peer support call 1-800-883-6094 or visit the OSISS Web site at www.osiss.ca.

Support from VAC's Health Professionals

The National Centre for Clinical Expertise located at Ste. Anne's Hospital, Ste-Anne de Bellevue (Quebec) is advancing clinical care in the field of mental health through research, education, and the development of programs. This Centre also recommends national standards and provides professional clinical leadership, program consultation and training to health professionals.

Face-to-Face Support with a Health Professional

VAC and the Department of National Defence (DND) have a network of health care professionals who specialize in treating CF members and Veterans with OSIs.

VAC has four Operational Stress Injury clinics which provide standard assessment, treatment, prevention, and support to serving CF members and Veterans with operational stress injuries including anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Clinics are Ste. Anne's OSI Centre (Ste-Anne de Bellevue, QC); La Maison Paul Triquet OSI Clinic (Sainte-Foy, QC); Parkwood OSI Clinic (London, ON); and Deer Lodge OSI Clinic (Winnipeg, MB). Educational programs as well as individual, group, and family counselling are also available.

VAC has 900 registered community health professionals who also provide care. This number is expanding as clinical social workers are now approved to provide psychological counselling to CF members and Veterans with OSIs.

Support to Rural or Remote Areas

In the traditional world of health care, people in rural or remote areas must often travel many miles to seek treatment and help. But thanks to a new project piloted by VAC, people who live in distant locations may be able to get help for OSIs without ever leaving their community. Right now, the project is under way in Newfoundland in partnership with the Telehealth Agency of Memorial University Medical School - TETRA. The project relies on easy-to-use video-conferencing technology to link clients with professional psychological counselling experts. As a part of the project, clients benefit from regular counselling "visits." They can also access emergency support, if needed. VAC is considering expanding this pilot to other regions.