Question Period Note: MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS

• Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to ensuring eligible Veterans have access to the mental health support they need, when they need it.
• Since April 1, 2022, Veterans living in Canada who apply for a disability benefit for certain mental health conditions – as well as those who have already applied and are awaiting a decision – are automatically qualified for new Mental Health Benefits coverage.

• Under this new Mental Health Benefits, Veterans have up to two years of coverage for treatment for conditions such as anxiety and depressive disorders, or trauma-and-stressor-related disorders.

BACKGROUND — MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS

On April 1, 2022, the Department implemented new Mental Health Benefits allowing eligible CAF Veterans to obtain coverage for health services needed for mental health conditions such as trauma-and-stressor-related disorders, anxiety disorders and depressive disorders.

This coverage starts immediately following their application for a disability entitlement and could last up to two years or until their disability entitlement decision is granted.

Eligibility for Mental Health Benefits does not alter eligibility for other benefits, services or care under the Veteran Health Care Regulations or other departmental programs for which the Veteran already holds eligibility. Veterans currently receiving treatment benefits, including mental health benefits, will continue to receive them – this initiative does not affect these benefits.

The new Mental Health Benefits provides coverage for prescription drugs as well as treatments and examinations provided by psychologists, counsellors, social workers, or other mental health professionals approved by the Minister.

The Mental Health Benefits are directly linked to VAC’s mandate to support the well-being of Veterans.

Eligibility determination for the new benefits of all pending applications received prior to April 1, 2022, has been completed.
• Since April 1, 2022, VAC has received a small uptake in applications and it is expected to last for a few weeks as this is a new initiative.
• It is too early to officially report on turn-around-time to determine eligibility but so far, all new requests received since April 1 have been reviewed the same day.
Clients most frequently deemed ineligible for Mental Health Benefits are Still Serving CAF or Still Serving RCMP members.

When Pressed:
Q1 - What is the prevalence of mental health issues within the Veteran community?
• Mental health problems are known to occur at higher rates among serving member than amongst the civilian population. The prevalence of mental health conditions is particularly high among the most recently released Veterans: those who released between 2015 and 2018 showed rates of depression at 32.9%, anxiety at 29.7%, and PTSD at 29.7%. For example, 54% of CAF Veterans with a disability benefit related to service in Afghanistan are in receipt of a VAC pension/award for PTSD.
• Mental health issues have an impact on Veterans, their partners, and their families’ income, quality of life, disability, and risk of suicidality. For example, suicide risk is nearly one and a half times higher in male CAF Veterans and nearly twice as high in female CAF Veterans than in the age-adjusted male and female Canadian general population, respectively. The list of the top 10 medical conditions on first applications completed during 2020-2021 includes PTSD and depressive disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depression.

Q2 – If a mental health condition has been affected by a physical service-related injury for which a client is awaiting a decision (or plan to apply). Are they eligible for coverage?
• The new Mental Health Benefits are only available to Veterans who apply for a disability benefit for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depressive disorders, or trauma-and-stressor-related disorders.
Q3 – A client now has coverage through Mental Health Benefits. Can they get in to see a mental health professional now?
• The coverage allows VAC to pay for mental health services, delivered either in person or virtually, from a health professional of their choice as soon as they’re eligible.
• Note: Many provinces and territories across Canada are experiencing longer than average wait times to schedule mental health appointments. The VAC Assistance Service can be accessed 24/7 for mental health counselling support in case health professionals within their community are not immediately available.
Q4 - What is VAC doing to ensure Veterans have access to mental health providers?
• VAC is actively working to expand its provider registry in an effort to have more providers available for Veterans to access services.
Q5 – Are family members eligible for Mental Health Coverage?
• Family members are not eligible to apply directly for Mental Health Benefits. If a client is receiving Mental Health Benefits coverage and their mental health professional believes that involving family members in treatment will achieve positive health outcomes for the client, family members may qualify for mental health services.