Mental health and wellness

Supports, online resources, special events and apps to improve well-being for releasing and former members of the CAF or RCMP, family members and caregivers.

Talk to a professional now

If you, as a Veteran or Veteran family member, are in need of psychological support, please reach out. Get support now from a mental health professional by calling 1-800-268-7708. You are not alone.

The VAC Assistance Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to all Veterans, former RCMP members, families, and caregivers. It is not necessary to apply for this service.

Understanding mental health

A wide range of mental health resources and information for you and your family, including information about PTSD.

Compensation for illness or injury

Financial payment for a service-related illness or injury.

Assessment and treatment

Services that provide support for a mental health condition, such as an operational stress injury.

Rehabilitation services

Treatment and therapies to overcome or cope with a service-related illness or injury.

Veterans Family Program

When releasing, a Veteran Family Program coordinator helps identify your family’s needs and plan a successful transition.

Resources and online supports

Access support for the well-being of Veterans, their families and caregivers

Caregiver Zone

An online community for caregivers who want to share their story, ask questions or learn more about caregiving.

Centre of Excellence on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and related mental health conditions

The virtual hub for information and resources on Veteran-specific mental health treatment.

Lifespeak

An online mental and physical health information and support resource to Veterans and their families.

Speak to a Chaplain

Spiritual support for challenges when transitioning to post-service life, or deal with the loss of a loved one. Bereavement support is also available through the VAC Assistance Service.

Homelessness support

For support with a Veteran at risk of homelessness, you are encouraged to contact VAC, one of the organizations on the map, or the VAC Assistance Service. Read more about VAC supports for homelessness.

Talk to someone who can relate at OSISS

A trained peer helper familiar with operational stress injuries can offer support. For family members, there is OSISS family support.

Mobile apps

Download these helpful free resources to learn about mental health symptoms and self-management or connect to VAC services.

PTSD Coach Canada

Learn about and manage symptoms that can occur after trauma.

OSI Connect

Mental health learning and self-management mobile app developed to help patients and families understand the nature of operational stress injuries (OSIs).

Veterans Matter

Find services and benefits offered to Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP members, and their families.

Articles for Veterans and families

Natacha's Story

Every injured Veteran follows their own road to recovery. For Natacha Dupuis, hers led back to a childhood love of athletics and, eventually, an opportunity to once again represent Canada internationally—this time, under far different circumstances.

John's Story

John O’Neill’s service record is a roadmap of places where Canadian service men and women have made a real difference over the past two decades. Bosnia in 1998. Kosovo in 1999. Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2000. Afghanistan in 2007 and again in 2010.

Chief Warrant Officer (Retd) Bill "Mother" Irving

Bill Irving is armoured by trade, 'Mother' by nature. A light armoured vehicle (LAV) crew commander, he's been around. The Balkans in the mid to late 90s. Two tours in Afghanistan. He's seen it. Lived it.