Vanguard Magazine

8 APRIL/MAY 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com S Sit ReP A new confidential, customized crisis texting service was launched in April for kids of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members. This texting service will provide free mental health and wellbeing bilingual support to the children and youth of the 78,000 CAF members. This service is provided through a collaboration among Canadian Forc- es Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS), True Patriot Love Foundation, and Kids Help Phone. "Making sure that young people have a means to connect and be sup- ported through hardships is critical, especially in these difficult times," said Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence. "I want every teen and kid to know if they reach out for help, someone will answer. Being part of a military family can be tough – it's okay to want to reach someone to talk about it." A new 24/7 text service to support kids of CAF members The 24/7 texting service can be accessed by texting CAFKIDS at 686868 for service in English or JEUNESFAC at 686868 for support in French. Kids Help Phone is the only 24/7 national service in Canada that pro- vides professional counselling, information, referrals, and volunteer-led text-based support for young people. Their Crisis Responders have re- ceived enhanced training to better understand the complexities of mili- tary family lifestyle. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, kids whose parents or guardians are deployed during this time may be under undue stress and in urgent need of support. "This partnership is critical as families are forced into self-isolation and many are left unable to access mental health support. We are truly grateful for this partnership during a critical time," said Katherine Hay, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone. The defence community recognizes April as the Month of the Military Child. This new service is a fitting support for military children who are making sacrifices by battling difficulties of separation from family and other loved ones during deployment and frequent relocation. It will also help the 8,000 plus families of retiring Canadian Armed Forces members each year who are struggling with moving to a new community. "When CAF families do well, so do CAF members. This service is one more way that we can support families who contribute so much," said Sean N. Cantelon, CEO, Canadian Forces Morale & Welfare Services. For more information, visit www.CAFconnection.ca/CAFKIDS. Five CAF members involved in Cyclone accident off Greece presumed dead Following a tragic accident at the end of April off the coast of Greece involving a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, the search and rescue mission has now transitioned into a search and recovery mode. Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough, a Maritime Systems Engineering Officer from Toronto, Ontario was killed, and five other Canadian Armed Forces members are missing following the accident. The five members who were aboard the helicopter are now presumed deceased. • Captain Brenden Ian MacDonald, Pilot from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia • Captain Kevin Hagen, Pilot from Nanaimo, British Columbia • Captain Maxime Miron-Morin, Air Combat Systems Officer from Trois- Rivières, Québec • Sub-Lieutenant Matthew Pyke, Naval Warfare Officer from Truro, Nova Scotia • Master Corporal Matthew Cousins, Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator from Guelph, Ontario "This tragedy hits home especially hard, as I know it does for so many members of our wider Defence Team," said Jody Thomas, Deputy Min- ister of National Defence. "We join all Canadians to extend our deepest sympathies to the entire crew of the HMCS Fredericton, who served shoulder to shoulder with their lost teammate and we support those im- pacted during this truly difficult time." The Cyclone was conducting concurrent flight operations in the Medi- terranean Sea with HMCS Fredericton as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 under Operation REASSURANCE. At the time of the accident, HMCS Fredericton was conducting collaborative training with Italian and Turkish ships. "To their families, friends, and shipmates, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time," said General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff. "There are no words to describe the pain that you feel right now, nor are there any words that can ease it. Please know that the entire Canadian Armed Forces is with you."

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