Today is the first day of Mental Health Week - a yearly event celebrated across Canada.

From May 2nd to May 8th, the Canadian Mental Health Association is running a campaign to inform Canadians about how to support and empathize with those struggling with mental wellness.

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic NWT residents, along with people around the world, faced challenges with their mental health. While the Public Health Emergency ended in the NWT last month, many residents are still struggling with increased stress, anxiety, depression, and other impacts to their mental wellness. Sometimes the best way to help is to make people feel seen and heard. That’s why this year’s theme is all about empathy. Take time to remind the people in your life and community that they are not alone; that their experiences are valid, even if they are different than your own. If you or someone you know needs support, there are resources available – we are here to help.

• Same day, drop in access to counselling through the Community Counselling Program
• NWT Help Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is 100% free and confidential. Call 1-800-661-0844.
• Kid’s Help Phone is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-668-6868 or text the word CONNECT to 686868 to talk to a counsellor
• Strongest Families Institute provides support to children/youth and their families for mild to moderate mental health and behavioural concerns, as well as support for adults experiencing anxiety
• BreathingRoom™ is a free online program that helps youth and young adults learn new ways to manage stress, depression, and/or anxiety
• Wellness Together Canada offers free tools and resources to support Canadians get connected to mental wellness and addictions recovery support and counselling
• Thinking about suicide? Call 1-833-456-4566, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk to a trained responder

What you can do to help:

• Celebrate Mental Health Week on social media with the hashtags #GetReal and #MentalHealthWeek
• Take a free mental health course offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association
• Educate yourself and raise awareness about mental wellness programs and services available to residents, such as eMental health programs, the NWT Community Counselling Program, and the Talking about Mental Illness (TAMI) program.

To find out more about available mental wellness and addictions recovery support and services, please visit www.gov.nt.ca/wellness.

For media requests, please contact:

Jeremy Bird

Manager, Communications

Department of Health and Social Services

Government of the Northwest Territories

Jeremy_Bird@gov.nt.ca

(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034