What is the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Assistance Service?

The VAC Assistance Service is a counselling and referral service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a toll-free number to veterans, former RCMP members, their families and caregivers. The VAC Assistance Service is a voluntary and confidential service delivered through a nationwide team of mental health professionals.

When you phone, you will speak to a mental health professional who will ask you questions to determine your needs and your location, and then match you up with a local mental health professional for face-to-face counselling. There is no cost for the services provided.

What types of counselling are available?

The VAC Assistance Service can provide up to 20 sessions of counselling in a number of areas, including work-related issues, health concerns, family/marital problems, psychological difficulties and other problems in which the well-being of veterans, former RCMP members, their families and caregivers is affected. Bereavement services are also available.

You can reach the VAC Assistance Service by calling 1-800-268-7708.

For the hearing impaired, dial 1-800-567-5803 (TDD).

Serving You is written by Legion command service officers. To reach a service officer, call toll-free 1-877-534-4666, or consult a command website. For years of archives, visit www.legionmagazine.com