Additional mental health resources for CAF members and their families

There are a range of services available to help you and your family members get the care and support you need. You’re not alone, help is available.

On this page

• Resources for CAF members
• Resources for family members

Resources for CAF members

Canadian Forces Health Services centres
Contact a medical centre anywhere in Canada and abroad.

CAF Member Assistance Program
A 24 hour, 7 days a week bilingual telephone and face to face counselling service that is voluntary, confidential, and available to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families who have personal concerns that affect their well-being and/or work performance.

LifeSpeak
LifeSpeak is an online health and wellness platform that includes videos, podcasts, action plans and “Ask the experts” sessions on 22 various subjects that will provide you with insights to help you manage your mental health. LifeSpeak is accessible confidentially, 24/7, from anywhere you are.

OSI Connect
OSI Connect is a free mental health learning and self-management mobile app developed to help OSI patients and their families understand the nature of operational stress injuries (OSIs) and to provide help through the OSI Clinic Network across Canada. The resources on OSI Connect address challenges including post-traumatic stress and triggers, depression, anger, sleep problems, substance abuse, stress management and more.

Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services
The Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services deliver programs and services to serving and former CAF members, their families, and members of the extended military community. The CFMWS includes the following helpful resources:

• Operational Stress Injury Social Support
  OSISS is a national peer support network for CAF members, veterans and their families experiencing an operational stress injury.

Strengthening the Forces Health Promotion Program
The Strengthening the Forces (STF) health promotion program gives Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families information, skills and tools to promote and improve health and well-being.

Veterans Affairs Canada
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits and services for Veterans, and other clients and their families. They provide a wide variety of services and programs such as disability benefits, financial benefits, rehabilitation, pension advocacy, education, and training supports. The Department also works to commemorate the achievements and sacrifices of Canadians during periods of war, military conflict and peace.

Resources for family members

LifeSpeak
LifeSpeak is an online health and wellness platform that includes videos, podcasts, action plans and “Ask the experts” sessions on 22 various subjects that will provide you with insights to help you manage your mental health. LifeSpeak is accessible confidentially, 24/7, from anywhere you are.

Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services
The Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) deliver programs and services to serving and former CAF members, their families, and members of the extended military community. The CFMWS includes the following helpful resources:

• Military Family Resource Centres
  Located in military communities, Military Family Resources Centres (MFRCs) provide programs and services to foster family support and community development. Services include psychosocial support, counselling and access to Family Liaison Officers.

• Family Information Line
  The Family Information Line offers supportive counselling seven days a week, 24 hours a day. This confidential, personal, bilingual service provides information, support, referrals, reassurance and crisis management to the military community.

Helping Our Peers by Providing Empathy (HOPE) program
The mission of HOPE program is to provide confidential peer support to bereaved military families coping with the loss of a CAF member (Regular or Reserve Force) or a veteran. The loss does not have to be attributed to military service. HOPE is also available to bereaved CAF members. 

Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) Family Peer Support Coordinator
Access to a family peer support coordinator to help connect family members to community resources and information.

Strongest Families Institute
Strongest Families Institute is a not-for-profit corporation providing evidence-based services to children and families seeking help for mental health and other issues impacting health and well-being.