Question Period Note: Mental health support for family members

• We are committed to ensuring Veterans and their families have the mental health support they need, when and where they need it.
• Veterans Affairs Canada has not made changes to the policy that covers mental health services for family members.
• For privacy reasons, we cannot comment on specific cases.
• The well-being of our Veterans and their families remains a priority for our Government.

When a man or woman serves in the Canadian Armed Forces or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, their whole family serves with them. Veterans Affairs Canada acknowledges that a Veteran may only be able to restore his or her ability to function with the support of their family. In all cases, VAC approved services are intended to address the Veteran’s mental health condition. A Veteran’s family may be included in mental health services when doing so is required to achieve positive outcomes for the Veteran as established in the Veteran’s rehabilitation plan.

Other ways Veterans Affairs Canada can provide support and care for family members:
• Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance Service: a 24/7 toll free number that any Veteran or family member can call to speak with a mental health professional, who will work to match them with a counsellor in the local community. In such a case, the decision to provide services is made by the mental health professional.
• Veterans Affairs Canada funds a network of 11 Operational Stress Injury clinics, which provide mental health support and services to Veterans and their families when the Veteran has an operational stress injury. If it looks like treating family member(s) would help progress the treatment of the Veteran, a decision would then be made to do so. Services are based on current best practices and are customized to meet the individual's needs. The team also works closely with health care providers or organizations in the community to help ensure follow-up is available when needed. Family members may also receive or participate in some of the services provided through the clinic.

Background for media statements on families being cut off of services:
• In January 2020, following a review, VAC clarified policy intent with staff across the country to ensure consistent application.
• Requests that had been on hold for four months began to be processed. As a result, Veterans/their families began to be advised of decisions in their cases. No families who received treatment last year were cut off—the Department exercised flexibility, advising the Veteran that it would provide an additional year of services to allow families time to transition to other resources if necessary.
• The Minister has directed the Department to exercise care, compassion and flexibility in the policy and to review the approach.

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