Reference N14112E
Ottawa – The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today issued the following statement to mark World Mental Health Day.
Today marks World Mental Health Day, which provides us with the opportunity to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health and recognize the seriousness of mental illness among Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces personnel, as well as its impact on their families.
“Our government is committed to ensuring our brave men and women have access to the specialized mental health services they need to successfully transition to civilian life, including assessment, early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care provided in a network of operational stress injury clinics.
“It is important that we continue to strengthen the support we offer and identify new tools that will support Canada’s Veterans who may face mental health challenges, such as our study on the use of psychiatric service dogs.
“We also recognize the impact of mental illness on a Veteran’s family, which is why we are committed to introducing new measures to extend psychological counseling to the families of those who have served our country so well.
“I encourage Veterans experiencing difficulties with their mental health to seek the necessary support because help is available. You and your family are not alone.”
For more information about mental health support and services available for Veterans, please visit veterans.gc.ca..
Barbara Mottram
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649
Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468
