Evidence of meeting #47 for Veterans Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was information.
A recording is available from Parliament.
National Manager, Mental Health Services Unit, Directorate of Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs
When we are talking about the mental health first aid...it's free of charge.
Liberal
National Manager, Mental Health Services Unit, Directorate of Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs
I have to admit that the travel to get there is not.
Liberal
Alaina Lockhart Liberal Fundy Royal, NB
I bring that up just because it's been identified as a barrier for some families.
National Manager, Mental Health Services Unit, Directorate of Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs
Okay, thanks a lot for letting us know.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
I just have a quick question.
When somebody calls the 1-800 number, I was wondering what the process is. What do they hear? Would the first thing they hear be that their call is important and to please stand by, or do they go straight to a person? Are there any recorded messages? Take me through the process of it.
National Manager, Business and Customer Relations, Employee Assistance Services, Department of Health
A mental health professional answers the phone. There is no answering machine that welcomes the client. It's a live person.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
So if somebody calls, in an immediate, “help is needed” crisis, what happens?
National Manager, Business and Customer Relations, Employee Assistance Services, Department of Health
The counsellor will evaluate the situation and ask questions on the level of stress, the suicidal thoughts, and ideation. Also, the counsellor will spend whatever time is necessary with the person over the phone before that person is referred to a mental health professional or other services, or even before we call 911, if necessary.
National Manager, Business and Customer Relations, Employee Assistance Services, Department of Health
Yes.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Okay.
Also, I should follow up on the point Sherry made earlier. She suggested giving this information out to MPs. As an MP, what information and resources are available to me to get out there? We have 338 MPs who have offices in every riding. A lot of places they're very far from any kind of veterans services office. What can we do to help your mission, basically?
Director General, Health Professionals Division, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs
All this information is also available on our website also.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Well, I haven't heard about the Internet in my riding, but there you go.
Director General, Health Professionals Division, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs
We also publish every week through Twitter and social media. We have repeat tweets that go out advertising all of the services available at the department.
National Manager, Mental Health Services Unit, Directorate of Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs
We care about our veterans. You're all invited, in one way or another, to promote the service and to provide brochures in your offices. I would be very pleased to prepare boxes of information for you. That way, you can distribute them in your respective regions. Our veterans are important. We want to improve their situation.
Is everything in place to do so?
Maybe not, but with your support and recommendations,
this is what we are striving for.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Could you be proactive by sending those documents to our offices?
National Manager, Mental Health Services Unit, Directorate of Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs
Absolutely. I'll do that.
Liberal
David Graham Liberal Laurentides—Labelle, QC
I appreciate it.
We're past that pass.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Neil Ellis
I just have a question on that. We all do householders, and I just wonder if you could make something that might go in a householder and send it to my staff, and maybe we could promote it through this committee in a householder. That's just an idea.
National Manager, Mental Health Services Unit, Directorate of Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs
Okay.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Neil Ellis
With that, on behalf of the committee I'd like to thank you for your testimony today and everything you do for our men and women who serve. If there's any information you didn't get to us, send it to our clerk and he'll distribute it to the committee. Again, I'd like to take you up on the householder idea.
I need a motion to adjourn.