Therapist Advocates for Inclusion of Local Practitioners in Nunavut Counseling Services

A mental health therapist in Iqaluit, Rachel Hollingshead, is urging the Nunavut government to expand its counselling services to include local private practitioners. Currently, only therapists outside the territory are contracted to provide support under the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program. This program, known as Healing by Talking, offers virtual therapy sessions to Inuit residents, covering up to 22 sessions annually for eligible clients.

Hollingshead, who has lived in Iqaluit for 13 years and previously worked in the Nunavut government’s mental health sector, wishes to provide her services through NIHB. However, as she is not part of the contracted providers, she is unable to do so. “I just want to be able to support the people who feel like I’m the right fit for them,” she stated. The requirement for private practitioners to be contracted by the Healing by Talking program stems from a contribution agreement between Indigenous Services Canada and Nunavut to manage NIHB funds.

Barriers to Accessing Services

According to Indigenous Services Canada, there were approximately 38,000 residents in Nunavut eligible for NIHB in 2024. Despite this, all current therapists providing services through Healing by Talking are based outside the territory. This has raised concerns about the lack of local capacity to meet the mental health needs of residents. Hollingshead submitted her resume to the program over a year ago but was informed that there were no gaps in service that needed filling.

Hollingshead also highlighted the potential impact on future social workers trained at Nunavut Arctic College. She fears that those aspiring to open private practices may face challenges in accessing NIHB funding. “We’re losing our children,” she remarked, reflecting on the pressing mental health issues facing the community.

The Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre in Rankin Inlet provides counselling and healing programs, funded directly by the Nunavut government and Indigenous Services Canada. Pelagie Sharp, the centre’s executive director, indicated that while they would accept referrals from NIHB, the current arrangements favour services outside the territory.

Possible Changes on the Horizon

In response to ongoing mental health challenges, including a recently declared suicide crisis in Nunavut, Camilla Sehti, the director of mental health and addictions for Nunavut, mentioned that the Health Department plans to roll out a second phase of Healing by Talking. This phase aims to create more community-based support and to explore alternative service delivery models in collaboration with local organizations.

Sehti noted that the therapists involved with Healing by Talking typically specialize in various forms of therapy, and there is a notable lack of certain expertise within Nunavut itself. “You may not find a child and attachment therapist in Nunavut,” she explained.

Despite the necessity of bringing in support from outside, Hollingshead questions why local practitioners cannot be included in these vital services. “It’s always been a necessity up here, especially in health care,” she said. “Why not capitalize on building some Nunavut-based capacity?”

As discussions continue on how to best support the mental health needs of Nunavut residents, Hollingshead and other advocates remain hopeful that the government will recognize the potential of local practitioners to contribute to community well-being.