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 that taking care of your mental health is as important as your physical health and we’ve been working hard to bring visibility to the high-quality mental health care solutions available to plan members.

As we recently announced, 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.

Togetherall is a leading mental health support resource that provides all veterinarians and student veterinarians access to a closed peer community of fellow veterinarians to connect and discuss common issues. Click here to join. 

Green Shield Canada (GSC) truly recognizes the importance of mental health. Click here for variety of articles and webinars that can help you focus on improving your mental health. You can also access support that is focused on women’s mental health along with Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help those who deal with anxiety and depression.

If your policy includes Group Life coverage through Western Financial Group, you have access to the Acumin Business Assistance Program. Acumin includes a counselling referral component for employees and human resource guidance for managers, along with access to Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) support if someone at your veterinary workplace experiences a traumatic event.

If your policy includes the Arive EAP coverage through Western Financial Group, employees and dependents have access to additional support through a self-referral counselling process. Call 1-877-412-7483 to get started.

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:

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 mental health and addiction resources by calling the Homewood Health phone line at 1-866-826-4440.
    • 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 AMVQ Association EFAP Provider is Dialogue

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