Directory of Services
If you are in distress, please call or text 9-8-8. If this is an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
Talk Suicide Canada
Crisis Services CanadaCall 1-833-456-4566 (available 24-7)
Text 45645 (available 4pm to midnight ET)
For residents of Quebec:
Call 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)
Text 45645 (Available 4pm to Midnight EST)
Visit website
Crisis Services CanadaCall 1-833-456-4566 (available 24-7)
Text 45645 (available 4pm to midnight ET)
For residents of Quebec:
Call 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)
Text 45645 (Available 4pm to Midnight EST)
Visit website
Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone
Powered by Kids Help Phone Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS)
Call 1-800-668-6868 (available 24-7)
Text CAFKIDS to 686868 (available 24-7)
Powered by Kids Help Phone
Visit website
Powered by Kids Help Phone Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS)
Call 1-800-668-6868 (available 24-7)
Text CAFKIDS to 686868 (available 24-7)
Powered by Kids Help Phone
Visit website
Financial crisis or emergency
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)1-866-522-2122
TDD/TTY 1-833-921-0071 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, local time)
Visit website
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)1-866-522-2122
TDD/TTY 1-833-921-0071 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, local time)
Visit website
Help for homeless Veterans
The Royal Canadian Legion1-877-534-4666
veteransservices@legion.ca
Visit website
The Royal Canadian Legion1-877-534-4666
veteransservices@legion.ca
Visit website
Member Assistance Program and Assistance Services for Families
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)1-800-268-7708 | TDD/TTY 1-800-567-5803 (available 24-7)
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)1-800-268-7708 | TDD/TTY 1-800-567-5803 (available 24-7)
Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC)Department of National Defence (DND)1-844-750-1648 (available 24-7)
DND.SMRC-CIIS.MDN@forces.gc.ca
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DND.SMRC-CIIS.MDN@forces.gc.ca
Visit website
Veterans Emergency Transition ServicesVETS Canada1-888-228-3871
Benefits
Guide to benefits, programs, and services for members and their families
The Guide provides an overview of the various benefits, programs and services that are available to current and retired Regular and Reserve Force members and their Families, should the member become disabled, ill, injured or deceased while serving in the CAF.
To learn more, or to access the Guide, visit the Government of Canada website.
To learn more, or to access the Guide, visit the Government of Canada website.
- Type of resource: Information
- Location: Online
- Language: English, French
- Cost: Free
- Target audience(s):Active and Former CAF members
medavie blue cross
If you qualify for the Treatment Benefits program from Veteran Affairs Canada, find a registered mental health care provider near you. A registered provider can bill Veteran Affairs Canada directly, so you do not need to pay out of pocket.
To learn more, visit the website.
1-888-261-4033
To learn more, visit the website.
1-888-261-4033
- Location: Online
- Language: English, French
- Target audience(s):Former CAF members
Former RCMP members
Public service health care plan (pshcp)
PSHCP provides insurance coverage to current members of the CAF and RCMP and their eligible dependents. Retired or past members of the CAF or the RCMP can obtain coverage for themselves as either a pensioner or if employed in federal civil service. The plan provides limited coverage for psychologist or social worker services where applicable.
To learn more, visit the PSHCP website.
To learn more, visit the PSHCP website.
- Type of resource: Insurance
- Location: Canada
- Language: English, French
- Cost: Varies
- Target audience(s):Active and Former CAF members
Active and Former RCMP members
Veterans benefits guides
The Veterans Benefits Guide is an online publication, offered by the Legion Magazine. It is aimed at Veterans and current military members and their Families, offering up-to-date information about the various benefits you may be entitled to and how to apply for them.
To learn more, visit the Legion Magazine website.
To learn more, visit the Legion Magazine website.
- Type of resource: Information
- Location: Online
- Language: English, French
- Cost: Free
- Target audience(s):Active and Former CAF members
Other Resources
Emergency Financial Assistance
- Support Our Troops: Emergency financial assistance for veterans and their families.
- Veterans Affairs Canada - Financial Crisis or Emergency: Support for veterans facing financial crises.
- The Royal Canadian Legion - Help for Homeless Veterans: Assistance for homeless veterans and those at risk.
Member Assistance and Family Support
- Member Assistance Program (MAP): Counseling and crisis line for CAF members.
- Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC): Support services for individuals affected by sexual misconduct.
Health and Symptom Management
- Operational Stress Injury Clinics: Assessment, treatment, prevention, and support for OSI.
- CCPA-Certified Counselors: Professional counseling services.
- Sinai Health System - Treatment Programs: Programs for veterans with chronic pain, PTSD, and other conditions.
- Landing Strong: Promoting resilience and recovery from PTSD and Operational Stress Injuries.
- OSI-CAN: Support for serving members, veterans of the CAF, and first responders.
Educational Tools and Caregiver Support
- LifeSpeak: Digital wellness platform providing access to expert advice and information.
- Mental Health First Aid for Veteran Community: Training program focused on the mental health and well-being of veterans.
- Operational Stress Injury Resource for Caregivers: Resources and support for caregivers of individuals with OSI.
Employment and Transition Support
- Veteran Transition Network Support Programs: Programs supporting the transition from military to civilian life.
- Helmets to Hardhats: Apprenticeship opportunities for military members transitioning to civilian careers.
- Edge4Vets | Jobs for Veterans: Assisting veterans in leveraging their military strengths for civilian jobs.
Support Groups
- Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS): Peer support network for CAF members, veterans, and their families.
- Canadian Mental Health Association: Offers a broad range of mental health support and resources.
Substance Use and Wellness
- Wellness Together Canada: Resources for mental health and substance use support.
Family and Spousal Support
- COPE (Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday): Program aimed at managing PTSD within relationships.
- Veteran Family Program: Designed to support the needs of medically released CAF members and their families.
Service Dogs, Equine Therapy, and Other Therapeutic Services
- Courageous Companions: Providing service dogs to military veterans and first responders.
- Can Praxis Equine Therapy: Therapeutic equestrian program for veterans and their families.
Medical Marijuana
- Canada House Clinics: Access to medical cannabis for treating health conditions for Canadian Forces veterans.
Additional Resources
- Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Training resources related to suicide prevention.
- American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines: Guidelines for the assessment and treatment of patients with suicidal behaviors.
- The Canadian Mental Health Association: General information about mental health disorders and advocacy opportunities.
Mobile Apps for Mental Health
- PTSD Coach: An app designed to help learn about and manage symptoms that occur after trauma.
- OSI Connect: A mental health learning and self-management tool to support individuals with operational stress injuries.