Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services provides free support for people with mental wellness and substance use issues, including:
- 1-on-1 counselling;
- short-term counselling;
- education; and
- groups and classes for a variety of mental health and substance use issues.
All services are offered at the Sarah Steele Building at 609 steele street.
Our services
Rapid access counselling
Rapid access counselling is 1 session of targeted counselling. It's designed to support you in the moment and help you find solutions.
You may find that in one session you are able to resolve a current stressor, or you may explore options to be on the waitlist for alternate groups or longer term counselling.
When is this counselling available?
This counselling is available Monday through Friday.
How to access this counselling
Phone us at 867-456-3838 to see or speak to someone right away.
We book appointments within 3 business days of your request.
Clinical counselling services
Clinical counselling is for people:
- living with mental health issues; or
- living with substance use challenges.
How to access this counselling
To begin the process:
- Phone us at 867-456-3838.
- Everyone starts with 1 appointment for rapid access counselling within 72 hours of your first call.
- Based on your goals and the type of support or counselling you're looking for, we'll discuss available services.
We aim to connect people with the service you require as quickly as possible, but there can be a wait for longer-term counselling or for a specific group to start. Rapid Access Counselling is available while you're on a waitlist.
Group counselling options in Whitehorse
We offer groups and workshops to support a variety of needs and interests. There are groups and programs that are drop-in, with no registration required, and others that require a referral and intake.
Registered groups
Changeways
This course length is typically 7 weeks and 7 separate sessions. This is a cognitive-behavioural therapy group for people affected by chronic low mood or depression. It's designed to help you learn skills to manage and improve your mood.
Thriving with anxiety
This course length is typically 7 weeks and 7 separate sessions. It's a cognitive-behavioural therapy group for people affected by anxiety of any kind who would like to learn skills to manage their anxiety.
Trauma information group
This is a group that runs for 10 weeks. It's available for people who have experienced trauma and would like to:
- better understand its effect on their lives; and
- learn coping skills.
Dialectical behavioural therapy
Dialectical behavioural therapy is a 4-module group that lasts 8 months. It's for people who'd like to:
- learn new strategies to manage different emotions;
- be more in the present moment; and
- learn interpersonal skills.
Drop-in groups
All of the groups are offered at the Sarah Steele Building at 609 Steele Street. No registration required. Seating for these groups is limited.
You can find a current calendar of drop-in events here.
Mondays:
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Older Adults Connection and Wellness Group: a drop-in group open to anyone age 55 and older, with an interest in connecting with others in the community and discussing topics related to health and wellness. Topics include:
- stress management;
- navigating life transitions;
- coping with grief and loss; and
- building new relationships.
Tuesdays:
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Foundations: an educational workshop series introducing practical skills and ideas that can be used in daily life. Topics change weekly, and include:
- change;
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT );
- emotions;
- self Care;
- relationships;
- mindfulness;
- about anxiety;
- lifting Mood;
- understanding trauma;
- relapse Prevention; and
- self Compassion.
Wednesdays:
Time: 3 to 4:15 pm
Recovery Group: a group for people in any stage of substance use recovery who would like to share their successes and challenges and gain support from other group members.
Fridays:
Time: 9:30 am to 12 pm
Art Therapy Open Studio. Open studio is an opportunity to get together and engage in creative expression, exploration, conversation and relaxation. Art materials and snacks provided. No experience required.
Persistent mental illness support
We offer support for people living with persistent mental illness. The Psychiatric Outreach Program can help you learn to manage your illness and work towards recovery.
Not sure where to start?
Phone us at 867-456-3838. Our clinical team will help you explore the different options available.