Resources for people affected by wildfires in the Northwest Territories

If you or someone you care about has been directly or indirectly impacted by the wildfires in the Northwest Territories, the resources below may be helpful to support your mental health and wellness. These services are free and confidential.

Short-term mental health and wellness supports and services for people impacted by the Northwest Territories wildfires 

For scheduling information and how to access these supports and services, please see below. 

Mental Health Information (Large Group) 

You may find it helpful to learn about common reactions to distressing situations such as the wildfires. Groups facilitated by professional counsellors with experience supporting people in crisis situations are available to provide mental health-related information to you and your loved ones, including: 

• what to expect;

• typical reactions;

• signs to watch for; and,

• available resources and coping strategies to mitigate the impact of stress. 

The chat feature will be enabled to give the chance for you to ask questions. 

Support Sessions (Small Group) 

Facilitated by professional counsellors with experience supporting people in crisis situations, these sessions can support you and your loved ones using a resilience-based, Psychological First Aid approach. Counsellors will offer consultation and support and you will have an opportunity to share and connect with others impacted by the wildfires. These sessions may help expedite your recovery and improve your levels of functioning and well-being. 

You can engage in these sessions through a chat feature or by voice. 

Peer support 

Facilitated by Lifewise, group-based virtual peer support led by peers living with mental health and addiction issues and experience in environment-based crises is available to you. Peer supporters are trained to listen and provide guidance based on similar lived experiences.

Mental Resilience Sessions: Handling Fear and Building Resilience in the Face of Wildfires

Facilitated by MindWell, these 30-minute sessions have been specifically designed for Northwest Territories communities. Sessions are focused on coping with the unknown, fear, and grief and on building resilience for the future. Topics include:  

• understanding, allowing, and coping with our natural emotional reactions;

• practicing mental techniques that support attentional control so you can focus and let go of thoughts;

• cultivating awareness of your own and others’ suffering and tending to pain with loving kindness;

• strengthening your resilience in order to be better prepared to deal with the current situation and what is to come; and,

• expressing your concerns and fears in a supportive environment to safely guide you through your experiences.

Schedule

Week of September 17, 2023

Week of September 24, 2023

Week of October 1st, 2023

Week of October 8th, 2023

Week of October 15th, 2023

General Resources on Wellness Together Canada  

These resources are available 24/7 with no appointment required. 

Talk with a counsellor

Wellness Together Canada offers free, private and confidential counselling support for youth and adults. Counselling support is provided by a professional counsellor. Learn more about this service on our Talk page. 

To access: Call 1-866-585-0445 

Indigenous peoples can also connect with experienced and culturally competent counsellors through the Hope for Wellness Helpline. 

To access: Call 1-855-242-3310 or chat online through the Hope for Wellness Helpline.

Connect with a community of support

You do not have to go through this alone. Wellness Together Canada offers communities of support for mental health and substance use health. Communities of support offer a safe space to talk with people who can understand where you’re coming from. 

Track your wellness

If you have the time and energy, you may want to take a moment to track and reflect on your well-being. This can help you identify supports that may help you through this difficult time. Create an account to complete a self-assessment and view your mental health and wellness trends over time. 

Supports and services available through the Government of Northwest Territories

Mental health and substance use health

For information about mental wellness services in the Northwest Territories, you can visit the Government of Northwest Territories’ Health and Social Services Mental Wellness and Addictions Recovery webpage. This includes information on how to access: 

• help lines; 

• online supports; 

• facility-based addictions treatment; and, 

• community-based supports.  

General services and supports

As the impacts of the wildfires continue, you can access the most up-to-date information about services and supports available through the Government of Northwest Territories through its Services and Supports page, which includes information about the following: 

• Supply services available in Yellowknife; 

• Health services for evacuees;

• School updates;

• Mental health supports; 

• Child and family services;

• Program and service updates; 

• Supports and services available through Service Canada; and, 

• Services for pets of evacuees.