Issues related to mental health can leave military families unsure of where to turn. Director Military Family Services (DMFS) is providing a good starting place for information and support with its newest resource: a webpage listing the top 10 online mental health resources for Canadian Forces (CF) families.
Whether you’re looking for information for kids, youth, or adults, the links included on this list may help. DMFS has surfed the web for the best resources we could find, and listed them in an easy to use, hyperlinked format. Some links are military-family centric; others provide information for the general public. We’ve also tried to balance resources that are designed to provide information and clarification, and resources that provide more interactive methods of support.
- Mental Illness in the Family
An explanation of various aspects of mental illness and the effects on the family.
- Returning From the War Zone: A Guide for Families of Military Members
"This Guide contains all of the information in the Guide for Military Personnel, plus more information specific to a variety of family members." While referral information relevant only to US Military, much of general information may be useful to CF Members and their families.
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is “Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues.” This website includes various links, such as, popular issues and topics, new research, how to get help, information for families, local events and so on.
- My Life - It's Cool to Talk about it!
“This website contains information for educators, parents and students. The site provides tools to help high school students understand stress and it's effects, the importance of maintaining their mental health, links to mental health information sites and an online quiz that allows teenagers to anonymously find out if they are ‘Feeling good about yourself or not?’”
- Mental Health and Highschool
This website contains three separate entrances for students; teachers and school staff; and parent. The purpose of the website is to explore issues related to being a teen experiencing mental health problems and mental illness, as well as, to provide tools for teachers, counselors and parents.
- Kids Help Phone
"Canada's only toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone counselling, referral and Internet service for children and youth. Every day, professional counsellors provide immediate, caring support to young people in urban and rural communities across the country."
- Mental Health--Veteran's Affairs Canada
This is a website link created by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) which provides information about the mental health services and benefits provided for “Veterans, Canadian Forces (CF) members, RCMP members, and the families of those living with a mental health condition.”
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Association
"This website was created for those experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and for their support system of family, friends and fellow workers."
- Getting Help: When and How
This page was created by the Canadian Mental Health Association to help people who are feeling overwhelmed due to a mental health illness, an accident or an emotional crisis.
- Ten Tips for Mental Health - Canadian Mental Health Association
This page was created by the Canadian Mental Health Association and suggests ten tips to improve mental health.