January 22, 2014 - 2:04 PM
OTTAWA - An expanded toll-free support line for struggling members of the military and their relatives is now operating around the clock, eight months after it was first promised.
The line, operated by the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services Group, offers trained counsellors who can help soldiers and their families connect with local services, community help and military chaplains.
Separate from existing operational stress injury support and crisis lines, the expanded service comes amid a recent series of suicides among Canadian Forces veterans.
The expansion of the family support line was announced in April of last year and re-announced again in October as part of National Family Week.
But a general order, obtained by The Canadian Press, shows the operation only came up to full speed within the last two weeks.
National Defence spokeswoman Marie-Helene Brisson says the agency increased the number of positions slowly and made sure processes were in order before advertising it.
She says the resources to increase staff were made possible by reducing management overhead costs.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014