GNWT, Feds provide financial support for Mental Wellness Teams

The Government of the Northwest Territories and the Federal Government are providing funding for Indigenous mental health and wellness.

On Wednesday, Member of Parliament Michael McLeod, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services for the Northwest Territories, announced an investment of $500 000 to support Mental Wellness Teams across the territory.

Minister Abernethy said in a statement the Government is dedicated to providing culturally appropriate mental health and addictions services to all residents.

In the Northwest Territories we have seven Mental Wellness Teams that provide services to our residents in their communities where they are needed the most. The funding announced today will enhance the work of the Mental Wellness Teams as they provide day-to-day mental health services that include assessment, intake and aftercare as well as community outreach with events like sharing circles and land-based programming.

As Minister Abernethy said, the funding will go toward supporting the work of Mental Wellness Teams through 2018-2019, while also strengthening existing community supports for Indigenous Peoples.

The funding will build upon previous investments over the past two years. The Government of Canada has invested over $350 million annually for community-based mental health and addictions programming on-reserve and in the territories.

Cameron Wilkinson
Cameron Wilkinson
News Reporter

Continue Reading

You may also like



cjcd Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

The next supreme court judge could come from the North

A new representative from Northern and Western Canada is poised to become the next member of Canada’s highest court. The process to select the next judge of the Supreme Court of Canada has begun as Justice Sheilah L. Martin prepares for retirement.

Pan-territorial family violence resources and training site launched

The NWT Shelter Network, a circle of grassroots advocates and local leaders, has just launched a pan territorial family violence resources and training hub. The network is made up of leaders from each of the five family violence shelters in the territory. The NWT Shelter Network is part of the Pan-territorial Shelter Network that includes shelters from the Yukon, Nunavut along with the N.W.T.

DND, GNWT hosting public town halls in Yellowknife and Inuvik

Town Hall meetings with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are being planned for the city of Yellowknife and the town of Inuvik this month. Strategic Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Premier Caroline Wawzonek says the meetings are focused on  dual-use infrastructure defence investments, including the "modernization" of the North American Aerospace Defence Command.

Hay River RCMP arrest suspect in firearm incident

Hay River RCMP has taken a suspect into custody following a reported firearm incident last week.

Testing shows elevated lead in water at more Fort Smith buildings

A number of municipal buildings in Fort Smith show elevated levels of lead in water, according to initial testing results announced on Friday. It is unclear how many buildings are affected but offiicals said more information would be made public in the coming days. “We would like to inform residents that recent water testing at Town facilities has found lead levels that require follow-up and action,” read a message posted by officials on the town’s site.