How to get help and share your story
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In case of an emergency, please call 911. 911 can send immediate help. For a list of available mental health programs and services around Canada, please refer to the list below.
***IF SOMEONE IS AT IMMEDIATE RISK OF SUICIDE OR HAS JUST ATTEMPTED IT, CALL 911.***
Share your story
One of the common things we heard from the soldiers and veterans we spoke with is that sharing their story has helped them in their healing process – they want to encourage others to break their silence.
If you would like to share your story of dealing with mental health issues and PTSD with Global News please contact us using the form below. PLEASE do not use this contact form if you are in crisis, call 911 or refer to the list of resources available below.
National Resources
Mental Health resources for Canadian Armed Forces members and families
- Are you in distress? Call the Member Assistance Program right now at 1-800-268-7708
- Are you worried about your family member? Call the Family Information Line right now at 1-800-866-4546
- Call our Assistance Service Operators at: 1-800-268-7708 or TDD 1-800-567-5803
- Family information line: 1-800-866-4546
- Canada’s largest veteran and community support organization
- Call toll free: 1-888-556-6222
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy
- Not-for-profit corporation focused on improving the quality of life for Canadian Veterans
- Call: 1-905-357-3306
Non-military Veterans Support Line
- Independent and anonymous support line, staffed by veterans with PTSD: 1-855-373-8387
- Find a local crisis centre: http://www.suicideprevention.ca/in-crisis-now/find-a-crisis-centre-now/crisis-centres/
- Canada’s primary source of information on government and community based health and social services
Issue-Specific Resources
- The MHFA Canada program aims to improve mental health literacy, and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague
- Call toll free: 1-866-989-3985
- Military Minds Inc. – The largest organization in the world raising awareness of the stigma around PTSD
- Call toll free: 1-800-565-8603
Canadian Mental Health Association
- Find a local CMHA branch – http://www.cmha.ca/get-involved/find-your-cmha/
- Understanding mental illness – http://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/understanding-mental-illness/
- The purpose of the Financial Counselling program is to provide, at no cost, confidential and timely assistance to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their spouses who are experiencing financial distress
- Call toll free: 1-800-267-6681
- A federally registered non-profit organization that works within the community to identify homeless veterans and quickly re-establish the bond of trust that exists between soldiers
- Programs for physically/mentally injured soldiers and veterans
- Call toll free: 1-888-706-4808
Operational Stress Injury Social Support
- Talk to Canadian Forces memebers who know first-hand the lived experience of operational stress injuries (OSIs) and the possible impacts
- Call toll free: 1-800-883-6094
- Casualty Support provides support services for serving and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are ill, injured, deceased, their families, and next of kin
- Call toll free: 1-800-883-6094
Service Animals and Therapy
- Can Praxis Equine Therapy
- Citadel Canine Society
- Canadian Service Dog Foundation
- Courageous Companions (MSAR)
- Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning
Mobile Apps
- PTSD Coach | http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/etools/ptsd-coach-canada
- OSI Connect | http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/mental-health/osi/osi-app
List courtesy of Send Up the Count – a social media campaign is encouraging soldiers to come together and act as a support system for fellow comrades who “have slipped or are slipping through the cracks.”