In need of immediate crisis support?I Need Help Now!
I Need Help Now!

About This Resource

What It Does

This page provides:

Information about the possible impacts of the wildfire situation on mental health and wellness
Coping strategies and resources to support the well-being of people affected by the wildfires
Other practical supports for people affected by wildfires

How It Helps

This page can support people impacted by wildfires by:

Sharing information about the possible impact of wildfires on mental health and wellness
Providing opportunities for connection and discussion
Directing people to resources that can improve their mental health and wellness

This page provides:

Information about the possible impacts of the wildfire situation on mental health and wellness
Coping strategies and resources to support the well-being of people affected by the wildfires
Other practical supports for people affected by wildfires

This page can support people impacted by wildfires by:

Sharing information about the possible impact of wildfires on mental health and wellness
Providing opportunities for connection and discussion
Directing people to resources that can improve their mental health and wellness

To contact a health care navigator or registered nurse in case of a non-urgent health issue, you can dial 8-1-1- or 1-844-259-1793. Through this service, you can ask questions about your health and be directed to the most appropriate resource in your region. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to anyone 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

Date

Time (in MDT)

Type of Support

Link to Access

Monday, September 18, 2023 

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Mental Health Information (Large Group)

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 885 8704 4992

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

10:00am - 10:30am

Mental Resilience session

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 859 1484 9360

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Support Sessions (Small Group)

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 874 7137 1722

Thursday, September 21, 2023

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Peer support

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 854 1619 8122

Saturday, September 23, 2023

12:00pm - 1:30pm

Support Sessions (Small Group)

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 837 2224 8418

Week of September 24, 2023

Date

Time (in MDT)

Type of Support

Link to access

Sunday, September 24, 2023

4:00pm - 5:30pm

Mental Health Information (Large Group)

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 879  8145 7250

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Peer support

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 841 4535 3952

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

9:00am - 10:30am

Support Sessions (Small Group)

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 881 5177 9762

Thursday, September 28, 2023

6:00pm-6:30pm

Mental Resilience session

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 829 7351 4846

Saturday, September 30, 2023

12:00pm - 1:30pm

Support Sessions (Small Group)

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 884 0485 7432

Week of October 1st, 2023

Date

Time (in MDT)

Type of Support

Link to access

Monday, October 2, 2023 

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Support Sessions (Small Group)

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 854 3202 7757

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 

6:00pm - 6:30pm

Mental Resilience Session

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 899 4009 1073

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Peer support

Zoom link 

Meeting ID: 827 0889 8156

Saturday, October 7, 2023 

12:00pm - 1:30pm

Support Sessions (Small Group)

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 893 7147 5866

Week of October 8th, 2023

Date

Time (in MDT)

Type of Support

Link to access

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

6:00pm-7:30pm

Support Sessions (Small Group)

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 820 0694 9803

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

6:00pm -6:30pm

Mental Resilience Session

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 899 4009 1073

Saturday, October 14, 2023

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Peer Support

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 863 8893 3427

Week of October 15th, 2023

Date

Time (in MDT)

Type of Support

Link to access

Monday, October 16, 2023

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Support Sessions (Small Group)


Zoom link

Meeting ID: 827 9533 1107

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

6:00pm-7:00pm

Peer Support

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 852 7864 7879

Thursday, October 22, 2023

4:00pm-4:30pm

Mental Resilience session

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 878 2165 3015

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.