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My Priorities and Solutions 

Image by Vinoth Ragunathan

Priority #3

WELLNESS

MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS AND RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES

The colonial legacy of Canada and the damaging effects of the residential school system on indigenous peoples, their language, culture and way of life continue to leave a long and challenging path to recovery

 

There is a shortage of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors, in the NWT. This shortage can result in long wait times for appointments and limited availability of specialized services

Additionally, cultural and language barriers can impact mental health access, particularly for Indigenous communities. It is important to provide culturally appropriate and accessible services that respect the unique needs and perspectives of indigenous peoples

 

The Northwest Territories has the most addiction cases per capita compared to any other region in Canada with NO EXISTING TREATMENT FACILITY. Residents seeking treatment are sent to facilities in the south that do not always offer culturally appropriate treatment options 

 

The 2022 Auditor General's Report pointed out that the GNWT is not doing enough to provide residents with equitable and culturally safe addiction prevention and recovery services. (see report) 

  

Part of the challenge is the vast and remote nature of our region and that makes it challenging to provide adequate community based culturally appropriate addiction recovery programs, detoxification services and treatment options

 

The NWT also has a chronic shortage in addictions specialists and professionals to meet the needs of addictions recovery support in the NWT 

 

Recommendation 21 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action emphasizes the need for sustainable funding to new indigenous treatment and healing centres with priority being the NWT and Nunavut.  

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Solutions

MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS AND RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES

  • Follow through on recommendation 21 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action to build a new treatment and healing facility in the NWT

 

  • Cultural and language barriers can impact mental health access, particularly for Indigenous communities. It is important to provide culturally appropriate and accessible services that respect the unique needs of indigenous communities

 

  • Implement robust programs that look after consistent follow up and aftercare supports to residents recovering from addiction

 

  • Work towards eliminating wait times to access a counselor or psychologist by training local traditional knowledge holders to become licensed professionals. This could be a crucial part of the proposed new NWT Polytechnic to help retain northerners and meet the growing demand 

 

  • The Government can also explore new channels of direct immigration recruitment streams to bring experts here as a short-term solution  
     

  • The GNWT should continue to proactively lobby the federal government to extend benefits that can support residents with the cost of accessing a therapist or counselor
     

  • There is stigma surrounding addiction which can be a barrier to recovery. Awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and increase access to resources is very critical to improving treatment outcomes  

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