Our Mental Health Department
Our staff and clinical team offer a variety of services and programs to help people and their families who are experiencing difficulties with mental health and/or substance abuse. Our goal is to enhance mental health and wellness for all Nisga’a people. Support is offered to everyone, with or without a doctor’s referral.
To access mental health care for yourself or someone else, contact our team:
- Gitwinksihlkw Health Center at 250-633-2611; ask for Marlena Gosnell
- Or email marlena.gosnell@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
- Clinical Director of Mental Health at 250-633-5000
- Clinical Supervisor at 250-633-5000
Access support by filling out our simple online intake form (the form is also available as a fillable pdf form to download, fill out and email to marlena.gosnell@nisgaahealth.bc.ca). Our staff will review your information and connect you to the right person and program for your needs. All information is 100% confidential.
Latest News – Mental Health
Services & Programs
Substance Abuse and Addiction Care
Contact our alcohol and drug addiction counsellors directly:
-
- Bill Leeson | Community Wellness Counsellor
250-621-3274
bill.leeson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
- Bill Leeson | Community Wellness Counsellor
Your information will be completely confidential and will not be shared with anyone else in the organization.
Carlos Dominguez and Frank Morven
Carlos Dominguez, MA, RCC, works in the Nass Valley. He specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, an approach to treating critical stress and trauma that is very successful.
To make an appointment, call Marlena Gosnell at the Gitwinksihlkw Health Center, 250-633-2611.
For more information, see www.bcacc.ca
Support for Children, Youth, Families
Joanne Davis, RCC, is available in the Nass Valley.
To make an appointment, call Marlena Gosnell at the Gitwinksihlkw Health Center, 250-633-2611.
For more information, see www.counsellinggroup.org
Occupational Therapy for Children
Registered Occupational Therapist Carmen May visits the Nass Valley regularly to work with families and teams to help children learn functional skills. Occupational Therapists help children manage daily activities ranging from emotional regulations to toileting. They work with autism, ADHS, trauma, head injuries, cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, and more, using a holistic lens.
To make an appointment, call Marlena Gosnell at the Gitwinksihlkw Health Center, 250-633-2611.
For more information about occupational therapy services, click HERE.
Other Programs and Facilities
First Nations Health Authority Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Service
The FNHA Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Service provides individuals with access to specialists in addictions medicine and psychiatry. This is a referral-based service and is available at no cost to all BC First Nations people and their family members, even if those family members are not Indigenous.
Specialists are dedicated to the principles and practices of cultural safety and humility, and to delivering trauma-informed care.
Contact Information:
- Website: https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/ehealth/virtual-substance-use-and-psychiatry-service
- Email: fnvsups@fnha.ca
- Hours:
- Substance Use and Addictions Medicine:
Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:30pm - Psychiatry:
Monday to Friday 10:00am to 3:00pm
- Substance Use and Addictions Medicine:
Foundry Virtual Clinic
The Foundry Virtual Clinic provides health and wellness services for young people ages 12-24. The clinic brings health and social services together in a single place to make it easier for young people to find the care, connection and support they need. No referrals needed—just reach out.
- Phone: 1-833-308-6379
- Email: online@foundrybc.ca
- Website: https://foundrybc.ca/virtual
Alcoholics Anonymous Online Meetings
Website: https://www.aaonlinemeeting.net/
Mills Memorial Hospital
Phone: 250-635-2211
Get Support
Crisis and help lines
Crisis Response Team available Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 9 PM 250-975-0991
Lisims RCMP
Phone: 250-633-2222
NVHA After Hours (Medical) Emergency
- Gitlaxt’aamiks: 250-633-2298
- Gitwinksihlkw: 250-633-2298
- Laxgalts’ap: 250-621-3423
- Gingolx: 250-326-2345
Kuu-us Crisis Line—BC-wide Indigenous toll-free crisis and support line
- General: 1(800) 588-8717
- Adults/Elders: 250-723-4050
- Child/Youth: 250-723-2040
Kids Help Phone 24/7
- Phone: 1-800-668-6868
- Text word “connect” to access text support
Suicide Line – Canadian Mental Health Association
- Phone: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
- Phone: 1-866-925-4419
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness
24-hour phone and online chat with experienced and culturally competent counsellors; available to all Indigenous people across Canada.
- Phone: 1-855-242-3310
- On-line at hopeforwellness.ca
Victim Link BC—victims of family or sexual violence
- Phone: 1-800-563-0808
- Email: victimlinkBC@bc211.ca
Staff Directory
Team Lead, Mental Health
250-633-5000
Alcohol and Addictions Counsellors
Bill Leeson
bill.leeson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Nadine Alison Stewart | Life Skills Worker
Alison.stewart@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Tanya Stanley | Traditional Wellness Worker
Tanya.stanley@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Marlena Gosnell | Community Wellness Worker
Marlena.gosnell@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
If you are in crisis and require immediate support contact local RCMP in-valley at 250-633-2222
