By dialing 811, NWT residents can now access a free and confidential 24-hour phone service the provides trauma-informed support for mental wellness, addictions recovery, and tobacco cessation from a registered nurse, in addition to general health advice.

811 has merged with the NWT Helpline and Quitline, allowing callers to access all three programs through one number. Residents can also use the same three-digit line to get in touch with poison control, which will be available by pressing 4 after dialing 811.

Nurses at 811 are licensed in the NWT and have completed extensive training across a wide range of tobacco cessation, mental wellness, and addictions related topics including harm reduction, trauma informed care, depression, Intensive, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Tobacco Cessation Counseling and much more.

This merged service can provide support in over 200 languages, including Indigenous languages. Phone calls are answered by Registered Nurses who can provide over-the-phone support and direct callers to appropriate health services or resources. Anyone calling 811 has the option to remain anonymous, and the call will not appear on any individual medical records.

If you are unsure about whether you need medical care, or if you have general health questions, please call 811. If you are having an emergency, please dial 911 immediately.

For more information on 811, visit www.gov.nt.ca/811.  

For media requests, please contact:
Jeremy Bird
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
Jeremy_Bird@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034