Mental health resources
Our investigation, Hidden Battles, identified resources that are available to Reserve Force members to support mental health.
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CF Member Assistance Program
Interested in counselling services for you or your family? The CF Member Assistance Program (CF MAP) provides face-to-face short-term counselling sessions to eligible CAF members, their families, and veterans. Counselling sessions may occur in person or over the phone.
Access their services by calling 1-800-268-7708 (TTY: 1-800-567-5803), 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can use the Employee Assistance Program’s online chat to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional. Use the password “canada”. The chat is available Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Eastern time), excluding statutory holidays. The chat is only to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional.
For immediate crisis support, call the Crisis and Referral Centre at 1-800-268-7708 (TTY: 1-800-567-5803).
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Family Information Line
The Family Information Line supports CAF members, veterans, and their families with situations resulting from the military lifestyle.
Professional counsellors provide confidential short-term counselling and crisis support. They can also provide referrals to other mental health supports that are suitable to you or your family’s needs.
They are available to you 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, by telephone, email, or video appointment.
They can be reached by telephone in North America at 1-800-866-4546, internationally at 00-800-771-17722 or by email at FIL-LIF@cfmws.com. Requests for video appointments can be made by telephone or email.
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The Sentinel Program
The Sentinel Program is a CAF peer-support network of trained and supervised volunteers from all ranks. The Sentinels are trained to observe and detect mental health issues as well as offer non-judgmental support to CAF members in need. They can also connect CAF members to appropriate mental health resources.
Want to talk to a Sentinel? Interested in becoming a Sentinel? Contact the Chaplain’s Office of your wing or base for more information.
If you don’t know how to reach your base or wing’s Chaplain, contact the National Chaplain’s Office.
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Mailing address
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100 Metcalfe Street 12th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5M1
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