Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction 07/04 – Canadian Armed Forces Member Assistance Program

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2004-04-23

Date of Modification: 2024-12-01

Application: This instruction applies to officers and non-commissioned members (NCM) of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF Members)

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC)

2. Abbreviations

3. Policy Direction

General

3.1 The Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) is a partnership between DND and Health Canada’s Occupational Health and Safety Agency’s Employee Assistance Service (EAS). The CFMAP offers confidential, voluntary, short-term counselling to assist with resolving many of today’s stresses at home and in the work place.

Access to a Telephone Counsellor within Canada and the United States (USA)

3.2 Entitled individuals within Canada and the USA can access this program through the 1-800-268-7708 telephone number that is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by a fully bilingual, trained counsellor. The role of the telephone counsellor is to:

1. Provide advice over the telephone, and
2. Arrange for an appointment with another counsellor close to the individual’s home or work as required.

3.3 Contact will be made with the client within 48 hours and an appointment will take place within five days; sooner in crisis situations.

Access Outside Canada or the United States (USA)

3.4 CAF members and their immediate family members serving outside Canada or the USA:

1. Should call the appropriate number listed in Annex A (from countries not listed, call collect 613-941-5842);
2. Will be provided with telephone counselling, as a minimum, but every attempt will be made to provide in person counselling in close proximity to their location;
3. There are no guarantees that an English or French speaking counsellor will be found within the local area or that a counsellor will be found within the time periods discussed above. In these cases, the SO CFMAP will endeavour to seek alternate ad hoc arrangements; i.e. teleconferencing, travel, etc.

Resource Material

3.5 Briefing packages are available to inform members of the CAF community about the program. Wallet cards, fridge magnets, information pamphlets and posters are on distribution to CAF members and units. Additional information can be found on the Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) web page at reference. This information is updated regularly.

4. Operating Principles

Eligibility – Regular Force

4.1 Regular Force members and their immediate family members have direct access to the CFMAP telephone counselling service 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

Eligibility – Non-Regular Force

4.2 Certain members of the Reserve component, Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC), Cadets, Canadian Rangers and certain family members of the preceding groups may also have access depending upon their eligibility. For non-Regular Force members and their family members to receive full assistance under this program, the situation or issue for which assistance is sought must be directly linked to service in the CAF. Notwithstanding this condition, individuals from any of these groups may receive an initial assessment followed by an appropriate referral.

Ex-cadets

4.3 In certain circumstances, this program is also available to ex-Cadets. If a situation that arose during their time as Cadets causes distress sufficient to warrant use of the CFMAP, counselling may be provided under the auspices of this program. This will be determined between DCOS HS Del and the Health Canada National Counselling Manager. Should this occur, the Cadet Medical Liaison Officer will be advised.

Individuals not entitled to Follow-up Care

4.4 Individuals not entitled to follow-up care from CF H SVCS GP, (including family members, CIC members, Cadets, Rangers and non-eligible Primary Reservists), will be referred to an appropriate civilian agency.

Confidentiality

4.5 The cornerstone of this program is confidentiality. All encounters under this program will be held in strictest confidence unless:

1. Otherwise dictated by Canadian law, or professional ethics codes (e.g. reports of child abuse, threats of self-harm or harm to others), or
2. If confidentiality is waived by the member in writing.

4.6 Individuals who choose to give someone else access to their records must inform the CF H SVCS GP staff officer responsible for CFMAP in writing of same. Except in the above circumstances, the chain of command will not be informed of CAF members’ involvement with CFMAP.

Limitations

4.7 The following limitations apply to assistance provided under CFMAP:

1. There is a maximum of eight sessions per individual. This may be increased for a limited number of sessions following consultation between DCOS HS Del and the health Canada National Counselling Manager.
2. Sessions will normally consist of a face-to-face meeting, but, if circumstances dictate, it may be by telephone between the CAF member or immediate family member and the counsellor.

4.8 Counselling under CFMAP should not to be regarded as treatment for mental illness or addictions. Eligible CAF members who need follow-up treatment, or treatment beyond the scope of this program, will be referred to a CAF Health services health care professional, i.e., the member’s unit medical officer, a psychiatrist, social worker, psychologist or an addiction counsellor.

5. Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) Working Group

Purpose

5.1 The CFMAP Working Group is formed under the authority of the CMP. Its purpose is to monitor the standards and provide quality assurance for the program. Information on individual cases is not available to this group.

Composition

5.2 Chaired by DCOS HS Del, the CFMAP Working Group includes the following regular members:

1. Director General Reserves and Cadets representative;
2. ECS Medical Advisors;
3. Chaplain General representative;
4. CF H SVCS GP Social Work Advisor;
5. DHRRE representative;
6. MFRC representative;
7. SO CFMAP;
8. The CF CWO;
9. ECS CWOs; and
10. CF H SVCS GP CWO.

Frequency of Meetings

5.3 The CFMAP Working Group will meet annually, usually in May or June, at the call of the Chair.

6. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

6.1 The table below describes the responsibilities for implementation of this instruction:

7. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Associated DAOD

• QR&O Chapter 34, Medical Services

Other References

• CAFMPI 03/04 – Spectrum of Care Medical Services
• Member Assistance Program

8. Annex

1. Annex A – Telephone Access Codes Outside Canada