Minister Sajjan and Minister Hehr mark Bell Let's Talk Day
Statement
January 25, 2017 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, today issued the following statement marking Bell Let’s Talk Day:
“Canadian Armed Forces personnel, Veterans, and their families have made significant sacrifices so that the rest of us might live in peace and security. We recognize that military service can have an impact on mental health and when someone is suffering, it can affect not only families, but entire communities.
“This week, we are continuing the national discussion on mental health by participating in Bell Let’s Talk Day. At the Department of National Defence (DND) and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), we are working together to strengthen mental health services and resources available to CAF members and Veterans, and providing education and support from senior leaders.
“We can all do our part to fight the stigma around mental health issues, and remove this barrier to seeking care. Today, Bell will donate five cents to mental health programs across Canada for every text and mobile or long distance call made by Bell customers, for every tweet or Instagram post using #BellLetsTalk, for every view of its video on Facebook, and for every use of the Bell Let's Talk Snapchat geofilter. We encourage you to participate in this important campaign.
“Even if you have not experienced mental illness personally, we are all affected. Today’s campaign is an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about mental health and the supports that are available. If you or someone you know needs help, reach out now. You are not alone.
“We encourage you to have regular discussions with friends, family members and colleagues about mental health. Let’s keep the conversation going. Together, we can reduce the stigma around mental illness.”
Resources
- If you or someone you know requires emergency mental health assistance, please seek help through your case manager, health care provider or local emergency department, or call 911.
- Help is also available to military personnel at the nearest CAF health clinic. Serving members, Veterans, and civilian employees can all call 1-800-268-7708 for the CAF Member Assistance Program, the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Assistance Service, and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). All services are free of charge and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- The VAC-DND Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) program provides peer-based support to those suffering with operational stress injuries and the families who have lived with those suffering from an operational stress injury. The program employs full time Peer Support and Family Peer Support Coordinators, and also has a well-developed volunteer training and mentoring program.
- VAC has a well-established national network of approximately 4,000 community mental health professionals who deliver mental health services to Veterans and serving and released RCMP officers with post-traumatic stress disorder and other operational stress injuries. Services include a network of 11 operational stress injury clinics across the country. These clinics are complemented by the CAF network of seven Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centres (OTSSC) which cater primarily to currently serving military personnel.
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Associated Links
Contacts
Jordan Owens
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
jordan.owens@forces.gc.ca
Sarah McMaster
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
(613) 996-4649
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