Tips for the Defence team to avoid ‘burnout’: Getting help in difficult times

March 5, 2021 – Defence Stories

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This month, join us for a virtual webinar on Mental Health at Work – Burnout.

We have always known that the ‘winter blues’ are the real deal, but as we approach the one-year mark of working during a pandemic, this winter has seemed especially challenging. Trying to juggle life’s multiple demands such as working from home, caring for children, and fighting ‘Zoom fatigue’, can result in exhaustion and feeling burnt out.

According to the World Health Organization (You are now leaving the Government of Canada website), burnout can be identified by “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy”. Despite our best efforts, we may continue to experience some emotional exhaustion and anxiety.

However, in that face of that pressure and worry, it is important to remember that help is available to all members of the Defence Team.

Canadian Forces Health Services has provided seven tips for Defence Team members to support your mental health to help you navigate through difficult times. If you are experiencing significant distress, you may need additional support from a mental health professional or other related services. Reaching can help empower you to better navigate life’s circumstances, and by prioritizing your mental health, you prioritize yourself so that you can be there for your family and your team at work.

Receiving support and accessing available resources are positive steps to getting through challenging times. Reach out to the Department of National Defence EAP Peer Advisors who can provide confidential support and provide resources to employees in need. Employees and managers can also call HR Connect at 1-833-747-6363 to connect with a readily available colleague within 24 hours. Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families may access the Operational Stress Injury Social Support (You are now leaving the Government of Canada website) services to receive peer support, or the member and family assistance phone line for confidential counselling. Remember, you’re not alone, a whole range of resources are available to you.

We’re in this together!

This month, join us for a virtual webinar on Mental Health at Work – Burnout.
Click on the above link for sign-up information.

Get in touch with us for Support Resources

Reach out to the EAP Corporate Office, the Mental Health and Well-Being Corporate Office, or the Office of Disability Management.

Subscribe to the EAP distribution list to stay informed on mental health and wellness topics that matter to you, upcoming webinars, and much more.

All Defence Team members have access to:

• Health Canada - Employee Assistance Services (EAS) – provides short-term professional counselling services. This service is available 24/7, 365 days a year, by calling 1-800-268-7708 or 1-800-567-5803 (TTY).
• LifeSpeak – Web-based service that offers free confidential access to hundreds of short videos by experts on everyday issues.

DND Civilian employees have access to:

• EAP Peer Advisors (PAs) (Accessible only on the National Defence network) – DND civilian employees provide confidential active-listening skills and resources to employees in need. Call HR Connect at 1-833-747-6363 to be connected with a readily available colleague from 0800-1600 hours Mon to Friday. You will be contacted within 24 hours.
• The Office of Disability Management (Accessible only on the National Defence network) was created to be an impartial, collaborative and inclusive group that supports employees and supervisors/managers dealing with disability-related matter due to illness, impairment and injury.
• The Mental Health and Well-being Corporate Office (Accessible only on the National Defence network) supports the mental health and well-being of employees by providing access to educational tools and resources to assist in building a safe, supportive and respectful work environment.

CAF members and their families have access to:

• Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) – Members of the CAF, veterans, and their families can access free, confidential counseling, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-268-7708 or TDD 1-800-567-5803 (TTY).
• The Family Information Line (FIL) (You are now leaving the Government of Canada website) – FIL counsellors are available to handle calls in confidence 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To speak with a FIL counsellor, call 1-800-866-4546 (toll-free in North America) or 1-613-995-5234 (collect calls accepted).
• Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) (You are now leaving the Government of Canada website) – CAF members and their families have access to dedicated, frontline service providers, responsible for connecting military families to a wide range of programs and services.
• Military Medical Centres – Locate a centre anywhere in Canada.
• Crisis Texting Service for Kids of CAF Families (You are now leaving the Government of Canada website) – Children, youth and young adults from military families can access free mental health and wellbeing support by texting the keyword CAFKIDS at 686868 for service in English. For service in French, text the keyword JEUNESFAC at 686868.