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Mental Health Resources

Family Information Line

Supportive counselling seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Eligibility: Spouse, partner, child, parent or relative of a CAF member, including families of the fallen.
Service Provider Details: 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.
Specifics and/or Limitations: Short-term supportive counselling is conducted virtually via phone or email.

Contact Information: Email: FIL@CAFconnection.ca
1-800-866-4546 (North America)
00-800-771-17722 (International)
1-613-995-5234 (Collect calls)

1-866-332-2322, 24 hours

8-1-1, 24 hours

1-877-303-2642, 24 hours

1-800-688-6869 or Text CONNECT to 686868

Religious and spiritual caregivers, providing support and advice to the CofC, CAF members and their families.

Eligibility: Primarily CAF members; however, family members are included when necessary.
Service Provider Details: Some Chaplains also possess a mental health services background and provide some counselling, while others can make referrals to qualified professionals within the CAF community.
Specifics and/or Limitations: Chaplains are on call 24/7 to provide multi-faith support and guidance to members and their families at no cost. Mental Health Chaplains vary by location.
Contact Information: Calgary Padre: Capt Derwyn Costinak – KOCR derwin.costinak@forces.gc.ca Lethbridge Padre: Capt Ken Edel – SALH kenneth.edel@forces.gc.ca

Confidential, 24/7 line to help with well-being and work performance concerns.

Eligibility: CAF community including Regular Force, Reserve Force, Cadets and their families.
Service Provider Details: Offered by professional counsellors through the Employee Assistance Services of Health Canada.
Specifics and/or Limitations: No cost, focus on short-term counselling, maximum of eight sessions per situation, will refer to the local community if necessary.
Contact Information: 1-800-268-7708

Employed by MFRCs, support for families coping with an illness, injury, death or special need.

Eligibility: All family members of an ill or injured CAF member, Regular or Reserve Force, including families of the fallen.
Service Provider Details: An MFRC employee - social worker/counsellor located within the Integrated Personnel Support Centre.
Specifics and/or Limitations: No cost, short-term intervention for individual, family or group counselling.
Contact Information: 403-410-2320 ext. 2725 or james.knox@calgarymfrc.ca

Psychoeducational or psychosocial programs on military lifestyle issues.

Eligibility: Spouse, partner, child, parent or relative of a CAF member.
Service Provider Details: MFRC mental health team may include counsellors, psychotherapists, psychology or social workers.
Specifics and/or Limitations: Programs vary by location. No referral is necessary, though some centres can offer treatment for specific mental health diagnoses with referral. No cost, focus on short-term counselling, can be individual or group.
Contact Information: 403-410-2320 ext. 2725 or james.knox@calgarymfrc.ca or Shelagh Cox at 403-410-2320 ext. 3591 or at shelagh.cox@calgarymfrc.ca

Supplementary insurance benefits for families of CAF members.

Eligibility: Families (including spouse and dependents) of CAF members as defined by Sunlife.
Service Provider Details: A portion of the Public Service Health Care Plan coverage includes access to treatment by a psychologist.
Specifics and/or Limitations: Eligible for up to $2,000 per calendar year for psychologist. Requires a physician's referral, good for one year. In isolated postings, where no psychologist is available locally, the services of a social worker apply as an alternative.
Contact Information: Public Service Health Care Plan through Sunlife Financial.

Confidential, 24/7 line for all Veterans, their families and caregivers.

Eligibility: Veterans, their families and caregivers
Service Provider Details: Offered by professional counsellors through the Employee Assistance Services of Health Canada.
Specifics and/or Limitations: No cost, focus on short-term counselling, maximum of eight sessions per situation, will refer out if necessary
Contact Information: 1-800-268-7708