Mental Health
After Hours Mental Health Care
24/7 mental health emergency care for both CAF and OHS (Ontario Health Services):
- 911 or nearest emergency room, follow up with your CDU the next business day
- Emergency CAF Padre – (613) 687-5511 ext 5611
- Military Police – (613) 687-5511 ext 4002
- CAF Family Information Line – 1-800-866-4546
- Pembroke Regional Hospital - 613-732-2811
- Operational Stress Information Services - 613-732-9051, or 613-687-5511 ext 2699
Other Mental Health Resources
- Victim Services - 613-687-5511 ext 5900
- Family Liaison - 1-800-866-4546
- Victim Services - 613-687-5511 ext 5900
- Mental Health Crisis Line (24hrs) - 1-866-996-0991
- Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) - 1-800-268-7708
Mental Health
Hours of Operation
General: Monday to Friday 0730 to 1600 hrs
Mental Health Intake Services: Walk-in or same-day virtual appointments Monday to Friday 0730-1200 & 1300-1500 hrs
All other Mental Health Services (PSS, GMH, OTSSC & Addictions): Virtual or in-person appointments Monday to Friday 0730 to 1200hrs & 1300-1600 hrs
Services
Canadian Armed Forces Health Services Centre (Petawawa) offers a dynamic Mental Health Department comprised of several different sections: Mental Health Intake Services (MH Intake), Psychosocial Services (PSS), General Mental Health (GMH).
Mental Health Intake
MH Intake Services are often the first point of contact for CAF members seeking mental health care at CAF Health Services Centre (Petawawa). Employing a team of MH nurses, MH Intake Services offer same-day walk-in services or telehealth appointments for CAF members seeking MH care. After conducting an intake, the MH nurse will collaborate with the patient to develop a care plan, liaise with the member’s Primary Care clinician and facilitate referral to the appropriate mental health service in the MH Services dept. The MH Intake Services section is located on the main floor of Bldg N-111.
Psychosocial Services
Psychosocial Services are available at CAF Health Services Centre (Petawawa) to help CAF members deal with issues such as family-related concerns, and compassionate posting issues. Social Workers staff the Psychosocial Services Program and are located in the MH department in Bldg N-111. CAF members may be referred by MH Intake Services or Primary Care clinicians.
The following services are available through the Psychosocial Services Program:
Short Term Counselling Services
Short term individual and couples counselling services are available to address psychosocial related issues. Members can self-refer through MH intake or be referred by their primary care provider.
Pre-Deployment Screenings
Prior to deployment it is mandatory that all CAF members undergo a pre-deployment screening. The service member and spouse will be interviewed. Units with significant numbers preparing for deployment will have the medical component of their DAG coordinated through the AAG/DAG Coordinator via ++2 Fd Amb GS Coy Ops & Trg-2 Amb C Cie GS Ops & Instr@2 Fd Amb-2 Amb C@Petawawa
Post-Deployment Screening
Every CAF member should receive an enhanced post deployment screening 90-120 days after returning from theatre of operations, which involves completing a post-deployment screening questionnaire and interview. Members who deployed on short term taskings (59 days or less) do not require an interview. To book an appointment call MH Intake Reception, local 4600.
OUTCAN Screening
As part of the screening process for postings outside of Canada, psychosocial screenings are completed by social workers with the whole family unit. To book an appointment, call MH Services reception, local 4600.
Social Work Reports
Psychosocial assessments are completed by Social Workers to provide Commanding Officers (COs) with professional assessments of the exceptional personal circumstances of CAF members and their families in order to assist in making decisions and recommendations related to those circumstances. No medical or clinical information is shared outside the clinical team. Common requests that warrant a social work report include Contingency Cost Moves, Compassionate Status or Postings and Early Release for Compassionate Reason. Social Work Report Assessments must be requested by a member’s CO to the PSS Program Manager, Capt Dakota Levesque, Dakota.Levesque@forces.gc.ca.
Family Violence Advisory Team (FVAT)
The role of the FVAT is to be a focal point for coordinating education and interventions in the matter of family violence. This includes providing professional development training to units and Commanding Officers, as well as providing assistance to Commanding Officers and CAF members dealing with family violence. For more information, members may contact the PSS Program Manager, Capt Dakota Levesque, Dakota.Levesque@forces.gc.ca or Mrs. Nancy Sinclair, Nancy.Sinclair@forces.gc.ca.
Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centre (OTSSC)
The OTSSC program offers clinical assessment and treatment for various psychological, psychiatric, and substance-related issues that may or may not be linked to military taskings and operational deployments. This team of Social Workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Clinical Chaplain provides specialized treatment for traumatic stress injuries. Referrals to the OTSSC must come from a Primary Care clinician (PA, NP, MD). Self-referral will not be accepted. For more information, please contact the GMH Program Manager Capt Suzie Beaudoin, Suzie.Beaudoin@forces.gc.ca.
General Mental Health Services (GMH)
The GMH program offers assessment and treatment for all other psychological, psychiatric, and substance-related issues. They are located in the MH department on the second floor of Bldg N-111, past the Physiotherapy department.
- The GMH Program is an interdisciplinary team consisting of Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Addictions Counsellors, and Clinical Chaplains.
- Referrals to GMH must come from a Primary Care clinician (PA, NP, MD). Self-referral will not be accepted.
- Referrals for diagnostic assessments are assigned to appropriate teams and patients are accordingly scheduled for an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist. A diagnostic impression and treatment recommendations are provided to the patient and the referring Primary Care clinician.
- Diagnostic assessments are being conducted primarily either in person or virtual platforms (eg. telephone/televideo), due to the current COVID-19 posture. A need for any in-person assessments will be determined by the assessing clinician.
- Referrals for External Provision of Care (e.g. psychotherapy) are also received and processed from Primary Care and Mental Health services.
- Community providers are also using virtual platforms which may vary from provider to provider and may involve video and/or telephone sessions for their individual, couple or group therapy.
Frequently asked questions on care by an external provider
1. I have been referred to an “external provider” for my treatment, what does that mean?
After an initial assessment, your clinician has determined that ongoing treatment to address your mental health needs is warranted, however this service is not available within our clinic at this time. Therefore, we have a number of external treatment providers available in the community to meet these needs.
2. Who are these external providers and are they qualified to treat me?
The external providers we use in the community are either social workers or psychologists who are registered with their respective provincial colleges. This means they are regulated and approved to practice in Alberta. They meet the same levels of qualification that internal CAF clinicians meet.
3. Do I have to pay for these external services?
No, the external provider will bill the Blue Cross system and the military will cover the cost of your treatment. However, as a CAF member you are responsible:
- To ensure that all scheduled appointments are attended or rescheduled;
- In some cases, to pay for any missed appointments without having given appropriate notice, usually 24 hrs (this is your personal financial responsibility, please refer to CANFORGEN 196/18);
- To sign the claim forms to confirm services have been rendered and to authorize the release of health information back to the CAF; and
- To show the provider your Medavie Blue Cross Card, along with a photo ID.
4. What about parking and transportation to these services?
Transportation to these appointments and any fees related to parking are the responsibility of the patient to file. While some CAF Units may be unable to cover the costs of parking for their members, CAF Health Services Centre (Petawawa) and Blue Cross are able to reimburse these costs. Please discuss this with the referring clinician so that you can be appropriately referred.
5. If I know of a therapist in the community can I request to see him/her?
If the external provider is on the list of approved providers we will do our best to refer to this individual. While it may be possible to add a new provider to our list, they must undergo a verification process first, which may delay your treatment. If you do decide to seek services from a provider without a referral and they are not on our approved list of external providers, the services will not be covered through Blue Cross.
6. Does the mental health staff at the CAF HS C (Pet) keep track of my progress in treatment?
Yes, a clinician who coordinates external care will review the documentation, called a “Progress Report” completed by the external provider. After approximately 7 sessions, you will be contacted by the coordinator and asked to return to the CAF Health Services Centre for a brief appointment called a “mental health progress check”.
7. What is a “progress check”?
This mandatory appointment is to ensure that you are satisfied with your care, your treatment needs are being met and you are progressing in therapy.
8. How often do I have to have a progress check?
After your initial progress check, you will be contacted by a CAF HS C (Pet) MH staff member approximately every ten sessions to have another progress check. Often people do not require more than 10 sessions in which case you would not be contacted for an appointment.
9. If I am unhappy with my external provider is there a process for changing my therapist?
Yes, should the external provider not be meeting your treatment needs you may either contact the clinician who made the referral for treatment or the External Care Coordinator to discuss the situation.
10. Are the sessions with the external provider confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is considered essential for treatment. Information that you provide during therapy will not be released to anyone outside the medical system without your consent. However, your external provider is considered part of the CAF “Circle of Care” and will provide the medical staff at CAF Health Services Centre with regular progress reports of your treatment. These reports are filed in your medical chart (the CF Health Information System - CFHIS). Your Commanding Officer does not have the right to access your specific medical information.
PLEASE NOTE: There are legal, ethical and professional exceptions to confidentiality, which require that providers take responsible action. Your service provider, prior to delivery of service, will discuss these exceptions with you.
11. I am about to be released from the military. Can I continue with my external provider?
If you wish to continue to see the external provider after releasing from the military you will be responsible for payment. If your release is due to medical reasons and you have been pensioned by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, you may be eligible to have the sessions covered through this organization. Please contact your VAC Pension Officer or your CAF Case Manager prior to your release to discuss this option.
If you require additional information, please call (613) 687-5511, Ext 4600.
Contact Information
Mental Health Intake Reception: (613) 687-5511, Ext 4600.
Mental Health Services Reception: (613) 687-5511, Ext 4600.