Support Resources
Mental Health Resources in the Federal Public Service
For immediate individual mental health assistance or support:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Short-term professional psychological support is available to all employees and their immediate families through your departmental EAP. Please consult this link to find your EAP provider: Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Employees in departments that receive EAP from Health Canada can ask to be referred to a mental health professional who self-identifies as a member of a particular community or who has training and/or experience in supporting clients from a specific community (e.g., cultural or religious communities, Indigeneity, 2SLGBTQIA+).
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline
- The 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline provides people in Canada with free access to 24/7/365, bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate suicide prevention support by phone and text. If you call or text 9-8-8, trained crisis responders will listen to you and provide support with compassion, providing a safe space for you to talk.
For ongoing mental health supports
Nurturing positive employee and workplace mental health is a long-term endeavor. The following are some resources to foster or improve positive individual and workplace mental health.
Public Service Health Care Plan Psychological Services
- Employees can now see a psychologist, social worker, psychotherapist, or counsellor without a prescription at a reimbursement of 80% of the cost under the Public Service Health Care Plan. As of July 1st, 2023, these benefits have increased from $2K per calendar year to $5K.
Mental Health Support: Get Help
- Visit canada.ca/mental-health any time for more free mental health and substance use resources and supports.
Ombud Services
- If your organization has an Ombuds office for mental health, employees can access confidential, impartial advice by reaching out through your departmental intranet. Consult your internal website to contact your Ombud.
- Ombud services vary from department to department, but generally include being a sounding board; providing guidance or coaching so employees can raise and resolve issues; and/or supporting them in preparing for a difficult conversation.
Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace
- Resources for improving employee self-care strategies and workplace mental health are available by visiting Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace at Canada.ca, including mental health supports for managers.
Informal Conflict Management System
- Contact your ICMS office to find out how they can help employees to prevent, manage and resolve a workplace issue that may be inhibiting psychological health and safety in the workplace.
Canada School of Public Service
- The Canada School of Public Service offers the Mental Health Learning Series with self-paced courses, and they also have one-page job aids for quick reference on topics including:
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
- The Centre offers comprehensive resources on issues related to health promotion, wellness and psychosocial safety in the workplace.
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
- This organization provides policies, programs and prevention strategies to support workplace mental health and psychological safety for everyone.
Contact your manager or Human Resources advisor for further information on supports specific to your organization.
Defence Team - Mental health and Wellness
Defence Team– Mental health and wellness - Canada.ca
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Department of National Defence (DND) public service employees can access a variety of resources and information to help maintain and improve our mental health and overall personal well-being.
| Service Name | Contact Information | Target Audience | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program |
1-800-268-7708 (TTY: 1-800-567-5803) | CAF members | 24/7 |
Employee Assistance Program |
English: 1-800-663-1142 (TTY: 1-888-384-1152)
French: 1-866-398-9505 (TTY: 1-866-433-3305) |
DND Public Servants | 24/7 |
Kids Help Phone |
For kids of CAF families, text the keyword CAFKIDS to 686868
For kids across Canada, text the keyword CONNECT to 686868 |
Children, youth, and young adults | 24/7 |
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline |
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 | Everyone | 24/7 |
9-1-1 services | CRTC |
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency department | Everyone | 24/7 |
Resources for CAF Members
There are a range of services available to help you and your family members get the care and support you need. You're not alone, help is available.
| Service Name | Contact Information | Description |
|---|---|---|
Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) |
You have two ways to access CFMAP to set up
counselling:
The Chat Service is only for making an appointment for professional counselling, not for immediate counselling. If you need immediate support, please call. |
Provides free and confidential, short-term professional counselling and crisis services to
members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), veterans, and their families. |
Military Mental Health. You're not alone |
Visit the following links to learn more: | The Canadian Armed Forces offers exceptional medical and mental health care, support for families, and return to work programs. |
The Family Information Line (FIL) |
To speak with a FIL counsellor, call 1-800-866-4546 (toll-free in North America) or 1-613-995-5234 (collect calls accepted). | Speak to friendly, experienced professionals who are well-versed on CAF communities and services. FIL counsellors are available to handle calls in confidence 24 hours a day, seven days a week. |
| The HOPE Program | ||
Indigenous Mental Health Resources - Mental Health & Cultural Supports
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line and On-line Counselling Service
The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention for ALL Indigenous people across Canada. On request, phone counselling is also available in: Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
Toll-Free: 1-855-242-3310
Hope for Wellness Chat Line: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
Indigenous Services Canada offers a national Indian Residential School Crisis Line to support former Residential School students. The crisis line provides emotional and crisis referral services 24 hours per day.
Toll-Free: 1-866-925-4419
KUU-US Crisis Services
The KUU-US Crisis line is available 24/7 to provide support to Indigenous people in BC.
For more information visit: https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com/
Toll Free: 1-800-KUU-US17 (1-800-588-8717)
Adult/Elder: 1-250-723-4050
Child/Youth: 1-250-723-2040
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Support Line
An independent, national, toll-free support call line is available to provide support for anyone who requires assistance.
Contact the free 24 hour support line at: Toll-Free: 1-844-413-6649
Canada Suicide Prevention Services
If you’re are thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or are having trouble with the loss of a loved one from suicide, the Canadian Suicide Prevention Services provides 24/7 phone support or text support from 4pm to 12am ET by texting 45645
Toll-Free: 1-833-4546-4566