Mental health support and readiness for Primary Reserve Force members in domestic operations

Before you deploy, it's important to ensure that you are mentally and physically ready. The CAF assesses your mental health needs using the following screenings or medical assessments:

Personnel Readiness Verification (PRV) Screening Process

The PRV screening checks mental health readiness, physical health, and other domestic and administrative factors. During the medical part of the process, you can talk to a medical officer, social worker, or chaplain about any concerns.

The screening is a two-tier process:

• Basic readiness verification:
  • All members must complete this screening annually. Your commanding officer is responsible for conducting the assessment using the PRV checklist. You can find the full checklist on the Human Resources Management System (HRMS) (available only on the Defence Team Intranet), under the Military Human Resources Records Procedures (MHRRP), Topic 33.
• Enhanced readiness verification:
  • This screening focuses on readiness related to the specific military occupation and environment.

Periodic Health Assessment

A full medical exam will be done to check your overall health based on your individual needs. Assessments are conducted:

• Under the age of 40: Every five years
• Above the age of 40: Every two years

You will receive a medical category based on the results of your assessment. This category doesn’t expire and will stay in effect until you’re assigned to a new category. You must keep your PHA up to date.

Mental Readiness Questionnaire (MRQ)

The MRQ helps assess your mental health readiness for deployment. It is valid for one year. A completed PHA or MRQ is needed for domestic operations. If your PHA has expired, your chain of command can use the MRQ results temporarily until a new PHA is done.

Guidelines for mental health screenings before and after deployment are provided by:

• Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC)
• Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM)

Theses guidelines follow Defence Administration Orders and Directives (DAOD) 5009-0 on Personnel Readiness.

All members (Reservist and Regular Force) have the same access to CAF Health Services during deployment. You can get help from the nearest CAF Health Services Centre on bases/wings or access civilian emergency services after hours if needed.

Services available during your mission

Health services and chaplain support may be different for each mission. Talk to your chain of command to find out what support is available for your specific mission.

Traumatic events

If a traumatic incident occurs that impacts your mental or physical health, the CAF will provide you and all other affected members with additional support. The Commander of the Regional Joint Task Force may send a letter to your commanding officer at your home unit to advise them of the event and to recommend that they follow up with you.

Your home unit commanding officer is responsible for post-deployment activities. You will not be required to complete an Enhanced Post Deployment screening which only apply to international deployments.

Post-Deployment Health Questionnaire

At the end of your deployment, you must complete a Post-Deployment Health Questionnaire and Declaration in the presence of a CAF Medical Provider. The questionnaire aims to identify any issues or injuries related to your deployment and treat them early. This is an opportunity to raise immediate health concerns and get help.