30 November 2023
9:00 - 15:30 (ET)
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Supports Available for Families
Under the Health Care program (Treatment Benefits program) family members may be involved in the Veteran’s treatment or Rehabilitation Plan to the extent required to assist the Veteran in achieving positive treatment outcomes, as well as, addressing family dysfunction, as prescribed by their treating mental health professional.
Other mental health resources include,
- The VAC Assistance Service provides support for a range of mental health services available to family members free of charge
- The Operational Stress Injury Social Support Service (OSISS) offers confidential peer support to CAF members, Veterans and their families impacted by an operational stress injury.
- Families of medically released Veterans can access the Veteran Family Program through one of the 32 Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) across the country.
- Mental Health First Aid for the Veteran Community specifically addresses substance use disorders, how to recognize symptoms in a loved one who is using substances and assist them until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis is resolved.
Postvention Notification Business Process for Veterans who die by Suicide
Within 24-48 hours a VAC employee will reach out to the Veteran’s family to offer their condolences and postvention resources, including: 988 or the Crisis services help line; Community Supports; Helping Our Peers by Providing Empathy (HOPE); VAC Assistance Service (Bereavement Support); the Family Information Line and resources for bereaved children. They will do regular check-ins with the family, as required.