Navigating change this fall: Tools for CAF members and their families
October 5, 2026 – Defence Stories
Estimated read time: 1:55
Caption
MV ASTERIX members participating in a yoga session led by Amelie Cote of Personnel Support Programs (PSP) held at sunset while sailing in the Western Pacific Ocean, as part of OP HORIZON on April 21, 2026.
Fall can be a season of change for many Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families. From back-to-school routines and new postings to settling into a new community, this time of year can bring both excitement and new demands.
Whatever you have on your plate this season, it's a good time to reconnect with the tools and services available to support your health and well-being.
LifeSpeak and CF MAP: Tools for everyday wellness
For CAF members, LifeSpeak can be a great place to start. Available through Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CF MAP), this free digital wellness platform provides expert-led resources to help members navigate everyday challenge, from mental health, relationships, and stress management to financial well-being and parenting.
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, LifeSpeak is designed to fit into busy schedules, making it easy to access trusted information whenever and wherever it's needed.
Members can explore:
- Short videos and podcasts
- Expert blogs and articles
- Goal-based programs and on-demand classes
- Printable tip sheets and educational modules
- Wellness campaign and “Ask the Expert” sessions
Lifespeak also helps members easily access a wide range of information relevant to their interests, goals, or current challenges through carefully selected, topic-specific toolkits that bring related resources together in one place.
How to access LifeSpeak
To access LifeSpeak’s full library of wellness resources:
- Visit canada.lifespeak.com or download the LifeSpeak app
- Select “Canadian Armed Forces” as your organization
- Create your personal account
Support through life’s changes
Whatever this season brings, you don't have to navigate it alone.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or would benefit from professional support, the CF MAP offers confidential, short-term professional counselling for CAF members and eligible family members.
CF MAP can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by:
- Phone: 1-800-268-7708 (TTY: 1-800-567-5803 for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing)
- Online chat: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) chat using any device with an internet connection (password: canada)
Additional mental health and wellness resources
LifeSpeak and CF MAP are just two of the many resources available to support CAF members and their families. You may also find these resources helpful:
- Military Mental Health. You’re not alone.
- Wellness, inclusion and diversity at National Defence
- Mental Health and Well Being in the CAF
Life in the military is rewarding, but it can also bring unique challenges. Amid deployments, relocations, and the demands of service, it's easy to put your mental health and wellness on the back burner.
Whether you're looking for practical strategies, expert guidance, or confidential counselling, resources like LifeSpeak and the Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CF MAP) are here to help whenever you need them.