Family Mental Health

Life’s challenges can often feel overwhelming, whether you're facing stress, personal, relational, or family issues, navigating transitions, dealing with grief or loss, battling anxiety and depression, or managing financial difficulties. The MFS US Mental Health Team, along with the resources listed below, is here to support you through these tough times.

Family Counsellor

MARION HALL, BSW, RSW
Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 709-649-4296

Marion offers trauma-informed, strength-based counselling to CAF families posted to the US. Services are completely confidential, free, and offered through virtual services including phone or video. If you are looking for support after-hours, please call the Family Information Line.

Resources

Family Information Line

1-800-866-4546 | Available 24/7
If you need us, we're here. Any time. Any Reason.

This is a confidential, personal, bilingual and free service offering information, support, referrals, reassurance and crisis management to the military community.

Learn more about the Family Information Line
Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program
1-800-268-7708

Available 24/7 - CFMAP is a 1-800 bilingual telephone service, available to Regular Force members and their immediate family members, spouse, partner and dependant children of the member. You can access a professional counsellor by telephone from anywhere at any time. An appointment will be arranged within a maximum of 48 hours. Short and long term counselling options are available and are free of charge.

Learn More
988 Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Or chat via the website!

Available 24/7 - The 988 Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential emotional support for people in crisis or distress. If you are in emotional distress/crisis or are concerned about someone who might be, they are there to help. Note: 988 works in both the US and Canada.
- 988lifeline.org (in the US)
- 988.ca (in Canada)
Military Helpline (US)
1-800-273-8255 - Press 1

Run by 988 Lifeline; By pressing 1 you will receive crisis intervention with sensitivity to military-specific issues. Staffed by veterans and others trained in military culture, they understand the challenges that members of the military and their loved ones face.

Learn More
Strongest Families - Parenting Programs

A Canadian-based establishment offering evidence-based, bilingual, online mental health services for children/youth, adults, and their families, when and where they need them. Visit strongestfamilies.com/military-and-veterans/ to learn more.

Programs include anxiety support for ages 6-18, anxiety and depression services for adults 18+, behavior management for children ages 3-12, and bedwetting solutions for children ages 5-12.

"We understand that military and veteran families are resilient and resourceful, but like all families, they face challenges that impact mental health and overall well-being. That’s why all of our programs are developed in collaboration with those who have lived experience. You can trust that our Coaches are specially trained in military and veteran-specific competencies, ensuring you receive the support you need in a way that truly understands your unique situation."

- Strongest Families Institute
Addiction & Substance Use
- CAPSA Peer Support: Free peer-led group meetings, including virtual options, offer evidence-based tools to support individuals questioning their relationship with substances. Families, allies, and professionals are welcome to join.
- Alcoholics Anonymous: Free meetings and support for people who come together to solve their drinking problem. Find A.A. near you
- Narcotics Anonymous: Free meetings, including virtual options, are available for anyone seeking to stop using drugs. Membership is open to those committed to complete abstinence. 1-855-562-2262 | Find a meeting
- SMART Recovery: Free support meetings (in-person and virtual) open to anyone seeking science-based, self-empowered addiction recovery. Find a meeting
Learning more about Substance Use:
- TRICARE | Substance Use Disorders: Understanding a substance use problem can be the beginning of a better life. Learn how to identify the warning signs of substance use disorders and where to get help.
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction: CCFA's addiction blog offers a beacon of hope. Discover guides and articles on treatment, prevention, and personal growth in overcoming addiction.
  
  Stigma Around Drug Use: Addiction is not a choice. It is a treatable medical condition yet many people affected by addiction face stigma.
2SLGBTQI+ Supports
For a comprehensive list of resources, allyship tools, and additional information, visit our 2SLGBTQI+ webpage.
- PFLAG - The largest organization in the US dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Here you can find resources, support, and a chapter near you!
- The Trevor Project - Providing confidential support for LGBTQ youth in crisis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via text, online chat, phone, and more!
- Finding LGBTQ-Friendly Therapy - Information from Mental Health America (MHA) on how to find LGBTQ friendly therapy options.
- Adults Supporting 2SLGBTQI Youth - Every supportive adult can be a vital resource when supporting 2SLGBTQI youth.

Coping & Counselling Myths - DEBUNKED

If I push my feelings or issues to the back of my mind, they will go away or resolve themselves.

FALSE

Pushing feelings back down is like adding more clothes to your rucksack – eventually you run out of room and the bag will rip under the strain. Accessing counselling will help remove and/or dispose of those clothes in a healthy fashion.
Crying is a weakness.
FALSE

Crying can be a positive thing, it can help you. It acknowledges the feelings you’re experiencing. It is a self-soothing behavior that releases oxytocin and a number of endorphins which reduce stress.
Seeing a mental health professional means that I am crazy or there is something wrong with me.
FALSE

Imagine that you have an Aston Martin and it broke down. You would take it to the mechanic to have it repaired, and once it was in working order, you’d be quite pleased and show it off. There is no shame in taking a car to the mechanic. You are that Aston Martin, and like the car, once in a while you require a tune-up. We all do! Going for that tune-up is a sign of strength and shows that you care about yourself and your well-being. When you’re healthy, you can be there for your loved ones. When you’re not feeling balanced, your ability to support others is reduced.
My counsellor will fix me, my spouse or my child.
FALSE

The goal of counselling is to support the client in identifying their needs and achieving goals. The clinician’s responsibility is to create an individualized care plan. The counsellor’s main role is to assess needs, listen, provide tools and guide the client towards critical thinking and introspection. It is important to highlight that this is a collaborative process between the client and the clinician.
People only go to couples counselling when they are about to break up.
FALSE

Although couples counselling can be used as a means to end a relationship in a positive manner, it can also be used as a proactive approach to revitalize your relationship through the use of new tools and strategies.
If I see a mental health professional, me and my family will be posted back to Canada.
FALSE

It is normal to face difficulties and seeking support is the right thing to do. A family could possibly be posted back to Canada if there is a major concern only.
If I see a mental health professional, my partner’s chain of command will be informed.
FALSE

Services are confidential. If information needs to be shared, you will be asked to consent, unless you or someone around you is in danger.

Recognizing the Signs

How to recognize when you may need to seek out mental health support and services:

If you notice that you or a loved one is not behaving in the same way that they usually do (i.e. change in mood, attitude, performance, sleep patterns, physical health, social well-being, substance use and gaming, mental health services may be the support needed. Furthermore, checking in with your doctor is extremely important to ensure that you are in good health. Mental health concerns and health issues can masquerade as each other. Below is a list of signs and symptoms that may indicate when you should seek mental health services.

If you have medical symptoms that your doctor cannot diagnose. Physicians will often refer clients to a mental health professional at this point. Our brains and body are connected, and anxiety may present itself as panic attacks, chest pain, bowel issues resembling IBS in some cases, etc.
If you feel stuck in your situation and cannot figure out what to do next. Seeing a mental health professional can help provide you with a different perspective and an opportunity to learn coping skills to achieve a more harmonious sense of being.
If you notice that your relationship is becoming increasingly conflictual or feel concerned about one or multiple aspects of your relationship.
If you feel emotionally dysregulated. A mental health professional can help you identify and understand your needs. In some cases, a referral to an external party for additional support may be necessary.
If you have lost a loved one.
If you are currently or have experienced a violent or controlling relationship.
If you have experienced trauma.
If you have a diagnosis and are seeking to obtain tools to help you understand and cope with it.
If you have an addiction.
If a loved one has an addiction.
If you are experiencing overall unhappiness with your life.
If you have relocated to a new town with or without your partner and are feeling isolated and depressed.
If your child is experiencing behavioural changes (i.e. physically, emotionally or mentally).
If you are looking for parenting/co-parenting tools or support (i.e. expecting a new child, blended families, etc.).

Family Mental Health

Family Counsellor

Resources

Coping & Counselling Myths - DEBUNKED

Recognizing the Signs

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