Bell True Patriot Love Fund grants $350,000 in support of mental health for military and Veteran families
Eight local community programs across Canada have received funding from the Bell True Patriot Love Fund to support programs that focus on mental health and wellness of active military members, Veterans, and their families, thanks to generous contributions from Bell Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Programs range from PTSD trained service dogs, suicide intervention and prevention, skills training for spouses of those living with PTSD and specialized programs to support the unique mental health needs of children from military families.
Launched in 2013 in partnership with Bell Let’s Talk, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund is a multi-year initiative supporting mental health programs for the military and Veteran community across Canada. Since the launch of the Bell True Patriot Love Fund, over $2.7 million has been committed to the mental health of military families, with 124 grants distributed to date to support much-needed programs. For the second year in a row, the the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has provided additional funding for Ontario based programs to expand access to specialized mental health services and support for Ontario’s veterans returning to civilian life.
Programs receiving funding in 2022 included:
4 Wing MFRC – To provide mental health training in suicide prevention and intervention through training with Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Safe Talk for military members (including Military Fire Department), military family members, Veterans, and their family members.
Suffield MFRC – To provide mental health training in suicide prevention and intervention through training with Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Pacific Assistance Dog Society – Under this project, PADS will breed, train, and match certified PTSD Service Dogs with military personnel and Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in British Columbia and Alberta.
Veteran Transition Network – VTN will deliver a 5-day in-person retreat for Veterans (men) that focuses on important psycho-educational programming, such as mental health, communication skills (including with spouses and children), goal setting, and transition from service.
Valcartier MFRC – CMFRV aims to develop and offer a mental health intervention program for children, parents, and adults within their catchment. Funding directed to positive parental practice to improve parenting skills with Health Quebec, attendance at Theatre des Petites Lanternes, psychosocial counseling, weekend workshop/retreats for spouses living with PTSD and respite/daycare.
Quebec Veterans Foundation – QVF funding will support Music Activities, Recreational Yoga, Pet Therapy, and Wellness/Physical Activities. These activities have been part of their veteran’s community life for many years. In addition, they are growing their partnerships to further the programs that enable them to give more support to Modern-Day Veterans in Québec by also providing services to spouses and children.
Goose Bay MFRC – At any one time, there are 60 military children aged 0- 16 served by the Centre, and 64% of those children use the services of the MFRC. Funding will expand on Goose Bay MFRC’s existing child and youth programming to offer specialized services that target the mental health needs of military children and youth.
Princes Trust Canada – This project will expand PTC’s work nationally and provide Veterans, military support organizations, OE volunteers, and staff with comprehensive mental health resources, including two new components that address racialized communities and Veteran business owner community, as well as community training and awareness of available supports. OE will also offer year-round mental health and resilience programming to the BuyVeteran.CA community of over 650
Veteran business owners.
