Mental Health Resources and Supports

Programs and Services

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 911 or visit your local health care centre.

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority strives to provide a wide range of services delivering rapid and flexible access to mental wellness and addictions recovery supports.

An expanded range of choices for support helps people find the best level of care, at the best time, as defined by themselves. Care solutions are based on what an individual is ready for, and considers the least intensive and most effective option.

Supports for NWT Residents

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Community Counselling Program

The Community Counselling Program offers flexible in-person and virtual services for residents when and where they need it.

How can I access community counselling services?

  • Call your local office for a same-day or scheduled session;
  • See your Child and Youth Care Counsellor in your school; or
  • A referral from your health care provider or other helping professional.

How do we provide services?

  • Quick access when you need it, including drop-in or same-day appointments;
  • Scheduled sessions for when you want to plan ahead;
  • Expanded ways to connect: in-person, telephone, online, phone apps, written information, or group sessions;
  • Different levels of support to suit your preferences and needs.

What mental health resources can I access through the Community Counselling Program?

  • Check in sessions;
  • Individual counselling sessions;
  • Family counselling sessions;
  • Group counselling;
  • Support on how to help your loved ones;
  • E-Mental Health Resources;
  • Mental Health Awareness Activities;
  • Linking to other community mental health resources;
  • Referrals to specialized services;
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Child and Youth Counselling Program 

The NTHSSA's Child and Youth Counselling (CYC) program provides mental health and wellness supports to students, as well as school-aged youth and their families. This program can be accessed through the Community Counselling Program - or in schools where available. 

The initiative was launched in the 2018-19 school year and rolled out over four years to include all NWT schools. In the 2023-24 school year, there are changes to how CYC services are funded and delivered. This will include changes to services in schools coordinated by schools and education bodies - and continued services through the Child and Youth Counselling Program at a reduced capacity. Approximately 55% of funding previously allocated to the Child and Youth Counselling Program has been redirected to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to address program needs in schools. 

For more information, please refer to the the following documents:

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Strongest Families Institute (SFI)

The Strongest Families Institute (SFI) delivers distance services to families primarily via telephone. There is no wait list and appointment times are scheduled around what works for the family – whether during the day, evening or night. Programs are customizable to each family and are developed for those experiencing mild to moderate conditions before they become more severe.

All programs offered through SFI are accessible to NWT residents. The programs include:

  • ICAN (Conquer Anxiety and Nervousness) – Anxiety Program (18-30 years of age);
  • Parents Empowering Kids – Behaviour Difficulties Program (3-12 years of age);
  • Chase Worries Away – Anxiety Program (6-11 years of age);
  • Defeat Anxiety – Anxiety Program (12-17 years of age);
  • Dry Nights Ahead – Nighttime Bedwetting (5-12 years of age); and
  • Chase Pain Away – Recurrent Headache/Abdominal Pain (9-16 years of age).

In addition to individual sessions, this program also offers group-based options. When possible, clients are encouraged to participate in these group-based options, as this will allow them to provide support to as many families and clients as possible.

To make it easier to access their services, the Strongest Families Institute is currently accepting self-referrals into the program. Contact the program directly by emailing them at info@strongestfamilies.com, or you can request help from your local Community Counsellor to make the referral.

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Opioid Maintenance Therapy Program

The Opioid Maintenance Therapy Initiative was designed to help meet the needs of individuals struggling with Opioid Use Disorder. Run out of the Yellowknife Primary Care Centre, it is available for people using street-based opioids such as fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone (percs, percocet), or codeine, or struggling to control their use of prescribed opioids. Individuals who use this service are provided options for treatment, such as opioid replacement medications (methadone, suboxone), counselling, and/or residential out-of-territory treatment.

For more information, click here.

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TELUS Health CBT 

Formerly AbilitiCBT: is an app-based program that delivers interactive, engaging, and convenient Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) delivered by professionally trained therapists through an online platform accessible 24/7 from home or anywhere through your mobile device or tablet.

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TELUS Health CBT - Indigenous Peoples 

Formerly AbilitiCBT for Indigenous Peoples - A New Dawn, A New Light: the app-based programs are rooted in diverse Indigenous cultural and healing practices. They take a holistic, traditional healing approach intertwined with core Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) strategies to support you in your journey to better mental well-being.

At the centre of the New Dawn programs are the Medicine Wheel and the Seven Sacred Teachings to support you in achieving harmony, balance, and well-being. The teachings vary across communities, but the principles and values apply to all of us, regardless of our culture and history. The Medicine Wheel has been used by generations of various Indigenous nations for health and healing.

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TELUS Health 

Formerly LifeWorks: the GNWT Employee and Family Assistance Program is a comprehensive wellbeing platform that supports the financial, mental, physical, and social wellbeing of employees.

For immediate and confidential assistance, call 1-833-622-1307

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LifeSpeak

A 24/7, total well-being platform where GNWT employees and their families can access expert information, and videos on a wide range of topics when and where they need--completely confidentially.

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