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Mental Health Resources

Man feeling overwhelmed while working
Issues related to mental health can leave military families unsure of where to turn. Whether you're looking for information for kids, youth or adults, the links included on this list may help.

Below are resources recommended by our clinical partners in mental health. Some links are military-family centric; others provide information for the general public.

  • Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program
    CFMAP is a 24-hour, 1-800 bilingual telephone service, available 365 days a year to Regular Force members and their immediate family members, spouse, partner and dependant children of the member. You can access a professional counsellor by telephone from anywhere at any time. An appointment will be arranged within a maximum of 48 hours. Short and long term counselling options are available and are free of charge.

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  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
    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. Their website includes various links, such as, popular issues and topics, new research, how to get help, information for families, local events and so on. 

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  • Family and Caregiver Support  
    An explanation of various aspects of mental illness and the effects on the family. 

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  • Family Guide to the Military Experience
    Prepared by Military Family Services this guide provides you with a general overview of the resources you need to plan and prepare for the military family lifestyle.  

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  • Family Information Line  
    Military Family Services’ FIL counsellors provide supportive counselling seven days a week, 24 hours a day. By calling the FIL, you will be connected to friendly, experienced professionals who are well-versed on CAF communities and services. 

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  • Get Help With Drug Abuse
    Are you struggling with drug use? Is someone you care about having a problem? Help is available, whether you need it for yourself, a friend or a family member. Many resources are available to answer your questions, offer advice or give hands-on help.  

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  • 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. 

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  • 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. 

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  • LifeSpeak Videos
    National Defence has partnered with Health Canada Employee Assistance Services (EAS) to provide the Defence Team and their family members with access to this new mental health and well-being resource. LifeSpeak is an online health and wellness platform that includes videos, podcasts, action plans and "Ask the experts" sessions on 22 subjects that will provide you with insights to help you manage your mental health. You and your family members can access this great resource right now by visiting the canada.lifespeak.com using the corporate ID: canada.  

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  • MADD, a Canadian Guide to Resources Available for Victims
    This guide is intended to help victims of crime, specifically victims of impaired driving crimes, locate the resources they need to help them deal with the criminal justice process and other networks of services and programs.  This resource is not available in French. 

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  • Mental Health Pocket Guide
    This guide is designed to help military families access important information and timely mental health support services in their local communities. 

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  • Mental Health - Veterans Affairs Canada
    Site provides information about the mental health services and benefits provided for “Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, RCMP members, and the families of those living with a mental health condition.” 

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  • Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS)
    OSISS provides a national peer support network for Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their families experiencing an operational stress injury (OSI). The OSISS network is coordinated by screened, trained peers who bring firsthand experience and practical knowledge of what it is like to struggle with an OSI or to live with someone with an OSI. 

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  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Association
    For those experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and for their support system of family, friends and fellow workers. 

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  • Prevention in Hand
    The College of Family Physicians of Canada in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada health care resource for health professionals and the public to easily access current and accurate information about the prevention of chronic diseases. 

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  • Road to Mental Readiness  
    R2MR is mental health resilience education and training designed and offered by the CAF for CAF members and their families. Designed by the CAF, the overall objective of R2MR is to improve mental health outcomes of military members and families by preparing you pre-deployment, and supporting you post-deployment. 

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  • Tips for Mental Health - Canadian Mental Health Association
    Information and guidance to improve your mental health.

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