Who Ya’ Gonna Call - Helpline Phone Numbers and Websites

This is a list of community resources that can offer mental health help and support including suicide intervention and crisis support.

If you are with someone who needs mental health help: Actively listen, affirm and paraphrase what you are hearing them say, and decide:

  • If this is an emergency call 911 immediately or go to local emergency department.

  • Call the direct suicide/crisis support line at 988 or text 988 if you or another person is in crisis and suicidal. Visit 988.ca for more information.

    • This is available for anyone (not veterinary specific) in Canada. This is a crisis line for immediate help. It connects people to their local crisis centre.
    • A list of all crisis centers is available at suicideprevention.ca.

Western/CVMA Insurance Group

We know taking care of your mental health is as important as your physical health and we’ve been working hard to highlight high-quality mental healthcare solutions available to plan members.

We proudly sponsor:

Togetherall
Togetherall is a leading mental health support resource that provides Canadian veterinarians and student veterinarians with free access to a 24/7/365 anonymous online peer community of fellow veterinarians, allowing them to connect and discuss common issues with clinical oversight for psychological safety. Click here to join. 

Mind Beacon’s Stronger Minds
Stronger Minds is a no-cost health program that provides crucial mental health support available for all Canadians and all veterinary clinic staff. Click here to access the program.

Group Benefits Plans
Most group benefits plans offer mental health coverage that provides insurance access to psychologists, social workers, or counsellors. Policies that include Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) coverage through a Western Financial Group benefits plan offer you and your dependents access to additional support through a self-referral counselling process that provides 15 hours of counselling for each employee and every dependent. Access this digital-first platform at greenshieldplus.ca.

Those without mental health counselling support, offered through a provincial veterinary medical association-provided Member Assistance Plan or group benefits, may purchase personal health insurance to access this support. The GreenShield Mental Health benefit includes coverage for psychologists, psychotherapists, or registered social workers (typically listed under the Psychology benefit).  Visit personal.greenshield.ca/en-ca or call 1-844-855-7873 for more information.

Veterinary Provincial Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) Providers

Check with your association to ensure you have the most up to date information. As of October 21, 2024, the information is as follows:

Alberta

Alberta Veterinary Medical Association's EFAP Provider is GreenShield Health.

  • app.greenshieldplus.ca
  • Create your GS+ account using Organization Code: ABVMA
  • Speak with the customer care team via live chat on the GS+ platform or call 1-833-707-4747

British Columbia and Manitoba

British Columbia and Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association's EFAP Provider is Homewood Health.

  • 1-800-663-1142. Press (1) for immediate crisis support, offered 24/7.
  • homeweb.ca

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association EFAP Provider is Professional Psychologists and Counsellors (PPC).

  • 1-306-664-0000 or 1-888-425-7721
  • office@peopleproblems.ca
  • peopleproblems.ca
  • Service available to all active general, life practicing, and educational SVMA members (must have been licensed for six months).
  • Four hours of complimentary services annually.
  • Your license number is required.

Ontario

Ontario Veterinary Medical Association EFAP Provider is WorkHealthLife.

  • 1-844-880-9137
  • workhealthlife.com (available to OVMA members and their family)
  • Homewood Health is available to veterinarians registered with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario
    •  Homewood Health provides veterinarians in Ontario with access to a mental health professional through their rapid intake appointment service. Call the Homewood Health phone line at 1-866-826-4440 and say you are a veterinarian in Ontario and a College of Veterinarians of Ontario member. Ask for a rapid intake appointment with a mental health professional.
    • The College will also provide support for veterinarians who require a mental health or addiction assessment to be completed by Homewood Health. Outcomes of this process will evaluate fitness to practice and resources needed to practice safely.

Quebec

Quebec's Association des médecins vétérinaires du Québec (AMVQ)'s EFAP Provider is Dialogue.

  • dialogue.co/fr/
  • AMVQ also provides counselling services through TELUS Health for members and their employees, 24/7.
    • English: 1-877-257-5557
    • French: : 1-800-361-2433
  • AMVQ Legal Services
  • AMVQ Sentinelle Suicide Prevention Program 
  • The AMVPQ provides 24/7 counselling services and a workplace support program to AMVPQ member veterinarians, their families, and all clinic staff through TELUS Health.
    • French: 1-800-361-2433
    • English: 1-877-257-5557

New Brunswick

New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association EFAP Provider is TELUS Health.

TELUS Health will give members access to confidential 24/7, 365/year access to counselling services. You will have all the support you need to improve your wellbeing – whether you have questions about relationships, family problems, work, stress, financial matters, or physical health issues. This service is for member veterinarians, RVTs as well their immediate family (spouse and dependent children). The NBVMA covers the cost of these services.

  • 1-844-880-9142
  • Visit one.telushealth.com or download the mobile app
  • Counselling is available in person, by telephone or virtually (video or chat).
  • The platform also has hundreds of articles, toolkits, audio recordings and more. It also contains personalized content for self-guided online help (CareNow), on your computer or mobile device.

Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association members have access to the Doctors Nova Scotia Professional Support Program.

  • If you are concerned about yourself or one of your peers, please contact: Katelyn Junus, MSW, RSW, Physician Wellness Navigator, Doctors Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medical Association does not have a provincial EFAP Provider.

  • PEI Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health and Addictions Line: 1-833-553-6893 available 24/7

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Veterinary Medical Association does not have a provincial EFAP Provider.

  • Newfoundland and Labrador Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Line: 1-888-709-2929 available 24/7

Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Yukon

Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Yukon Veterinary Medical Association does not have an EFAP Provider.

  • Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Northwest Territories Division: 1-867-873-3190

Mental Health Supports for all Canadians

University Support for Students

There are a variety of wellness resources offered at each University to support student veterinarians.