Department of Health and Social Services
Popular programs, services and information
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811
Call 811 for health advice. 24/7.
The department is responsible for
The Department of Health and Social Services promotes, protects and provides for the health and well being of the people of the Northwest Territories. This includes:
- helping people take personal responsibility for healthy lifestyle decisions;
- protecting people from abuse, violence, preventable disease and unsafe environmental conditions;
- caring for and/or counselling people when they require support for social or health issues; and
- treating people when they are sick or suffering from physical, emotional or mental problems.
Guiding Principles and Priorities
Guiding Principles
- Focus on the patient/client
- Support individuals and families to stay healthy
- Ensure regions have a voice at the territorial level
- Ensure access to care and services
- Emphasize quality care
- Sustainability
- Respect diversity of all cultures.
Our Priorities
- Supporting quality early childhood development in collaboration with existing organizations;
- Focusing on mental health and addictions by ensuring that services are delivered locally with culturally-appropriate methods;
- Taking action so that seniors can age in place;
- Fostering healthy families by focusing on wellness, prevention, and improved nutrition;
- Taking action on the crisis of family and community violence;
- Creating opportunities for healthy lifestyles and community leadership for our youth.
