The NWT is coping with a greater prevalence for harm than the rest of the country, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
In contrast, the territory lags in mental health resources compared to other Canadian jurisdictions.
According to a report the CMHA published in 2024, self-harm and alcohol harm rates in the NWT were . Suicide rates in remote communities were twice as high as in Yellowknife, the association stated.
"The rate of police-reported drug offences is about four times the national average," CMHA's report adds. "In general, a lack of housing and housing affordability are critical in the Northwest Territories."
The national average for the number of psychiatrists is about 13 per 100,000 people. Conversely, the NWT only has four psychiatrists serving close to 45,000 people, according to the CMHA's report.
Also according to the mental health association, the hospitalization rate for self-harm in the NWT is more than triple the national average. The hospitalization rate caused entirely by alcohol in the NWT is also more than five times higher than the rest of the country.
The CMHA acknowledged it's missing some data for this report but also noted it can still provide a clear overview of access to services in the NWT.
"The low supply of providers, and notably of psychiatrists, means that people have a very high 30-day hospital readmission rate," the document states.
One of the few categories that indicates the NWT is doing better than the Canadian average is the rate for apparent opioid toxicity deaths, which is about five times lower than the rest of the country.
When it comes to making healthcare investments in mental health, addictions and substance use, the territory stands at about two-thirds the national average, according to the CMHA.
"The Northwest Territories government spends less than average on mental health, addictions and substance use healthcare SA国际影视传媒� approximately only four per cent of the overall 2024-2025 healthcare budget will go to mental health, which translates to about $30 million," the association stated.
However, the NWT also allocates a larger portion of its bilateral health funding to mental health and substance use services than the Canadian average, CMHA also noted.
Under the 2023 Working Together Agreement and the renewed Shared Health Priorities Agreement, nearly 40 per cent of that total healthcare funding SA国际影视传媒� about $9.5 million SA国际影视传媒� will be spent on mental health and substance use services between 2023-26, compared to the national average of 31 per cent.
Generational shift
Anansia Leslie-Bailey, a therapist living in Yellowknife, used to be employed as a family preservation worker with the GNWT and was once a staff member at the sobering centre in Yellowknife.
"We definitely have seen quite a shift, especially recently in regards to health, for sure," said Leslie-Bailey, who pointed out that substance abuse, addictions and intergenerational trauma are common themes she hears from her clients.
Leslie-Bailey mentioned instances like the 2023 wildfire evacuation and the Covid-19 pandemic as examples that have impacted people's mental health, in particular among youth.
To improve people's mental health in both the city and territory at large, having a family treatment centre is key, Leslie-Bailey opined.
"I think it's super important to hone in on the family unit," she said. "I think if you're looking at it holistically and healing the family unit, that can also provide motivation for each person to begin on their healing journey."
According to the Department of Health and Social Services, there are a number of contracted by the GNWT. None of them is within the territory, however.
The department also has a number of , but none of them is within the NWT either.
Leslie-Bailey promoted having family treatment in the NWT, where Elders could run a treatment centre, for example.
"Then everyone, even cousins and uncles, anyone that is wanting to heal as a unit can come together and say, 'Hey, we are doing this and we want to see that shift generationally in our family.'"
Not only is it important to have access to psychiatrists, counsellors and therapists, said Leslie-Bailey, but it's also important for them to be culturally competent.
"The North is quite diverse here as well," she said. "We need to have a lot more Indigenous counsellors, but also counsellors of all communities. I got here in 2018 and I can say it's a huge shift. It's become so much more diverse SA国际影视传媒� it's multicultural. We're having a lot more events out there where communities are coming together. So, there's definitely a need to address that component."
SA国际影视传媒 reached out to the NWT Health and Social Services Authority for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
