Who Ya’gonna Call?

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

During these unprecedented times, the Green Shield Canada (GSC) team has been working hard to bring visibility to the high-quality mental health care solutions available to plan members. Click here for a recap of GSC’s digital health offerings, including BEACON mental health therapy and a free, custom-made mindfulness program.

As we announced last month, we are also proud to be sponsoring Stronger Minds, a no-cost health program that provides crucial mental health support for all Canadians. Click here to access the program.

If your policy includes Long Term Disability coverage, you have access to the Acumin Business Assistance Program. Acumin includes a counselling referral component for employees and human resource guidance for managers.

If your policy includes the Arive EAP coverage, employees and dependents have access to additional support through a self-referral counselling process.

University Support for Students

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

Veterinary Provincial Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) Providers

Check with your association to ensure you have the most up to date information. As of June 25, 2019, the information is as follows:

British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba

British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba Veterinary Medical Associations 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)
  • Professionals Health Program: 1-800-851-6606 (available to veterinarians registered with College of Veterinarians of Ontario only)

Quebec

Quebec AMVQ Association EFAP Provider is Morneau Shepell

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

Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association EFAP Provider is the Professional Support Program

  • 1-800-563-3427
  • Service available to veterinarians registered with the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island does not have a provincial EFAP Provider

  • Direct suicide support: 1-800-218-2885

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador does not have a provincial EFAP Provider

  • Mental Health Crisis Centre (NL): 1-888-737-4668

Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Yukon

Northwest Territories/Nunavut/Yukon does not have a EFAP Provider

  • Canadian association for suicide prevention NWT: 1-800-661-0844
  • nwthelpline.ca
  • Nunavut/Nunavik: 1-800-265-3333