The federal government has committed $200 million for new and expanded mental health initiatives for veterans. These initiatives will serve military members and their families.
Initiatives include the establishment of a major new operational stress injury clinic in Halifax and additional satellite clinics opening in St. John’s, N.L.; Chicoutimi, Que.; Pembroke, Ont.; Brockville, Ont.; Kelowna, B.C.; Victoria; and Montreal to speed access to mental health services for those with mental health injuries.
There will also be a peer support program for members, veterans and their families living with operational stress injuries, and it will be augmented with additional staff to meet the needs of the military community.
Read:
And a new four-year pilot project will expand access to the Military Family Resource Centres at seven locations to medically releasing Canadian Armed Forces personnel and their families for two years post-release.
Read: Inspiration: Stéphane Grenier
Additional research will be conducted to find better treatments, promote faster recoveries and achieve better outcomes for veterans and serving members with mental health conditions and their families.
“To combat mental illness in support of our military members and veterans, we are investing further in education and treatment, providing greater support to families and better harnessing technology and research,” says Minister of National Defence Rob Nicholson.