Former Canadian Forces personnel or members of their families who are experiencing personal difficulties and require professional counselling now can receive help by calling a toll-free, 24-hours-a-day assessment and referral service offered by VAC.

When you call this 1-800 line, a trained counsellor will assess your situation and, if required, make a referral to a nation-wide network of more than 600 professional counsellors. Referrals will be made to counsellors in or near your community within seven days or within 24 hours in an emergency situation. Areas of counselling include, but are not restricted to: work-related issues, health concerns, family/marital problems, psychological difficulties, substance abuse, financial problems and gambling.

To contact the bilingual Assistance Service program, call 1-800-268-7708. Hearing-impaired users can call: 1-800-567-5803. The Assistance Service program complements the Canadian Forces Members Assistance Program established by National Defence to help still-serving members.

The Assistance Service program complements the Canadian Forces Members Assistance Program established by National Defence to help still-serving members.