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 gosnell@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
- Mental Health Team Lead at 250-589-9710
- Director of Mental Health at 250-975-1847
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 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
We offer:
- Help getting placed in treatment and detox facilities
- Counselling for addiction issues
Contact our alcohol and drug addiction counsellors directly:
- Gitlaxt’aamiks and Gitwinksihlkw
Leonard Robinson
250-633-5000
leonard.robinson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca - Laxgalts’ap
Bill Leeson
250-621-3274
bill.leeson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca - Gingolx
Kimberly Lincoln
250-326-4258
Kimberly.lincoln@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Your information will be completely confidential and will not be shared with anyone else in the organization.
Clinical Counsellor – Social Work Specialist
Devin Pollitt, MSW, RSW, is available six days per month in the Nass Valley. He provides support with anxiety, stress, addiction, trauma, relationships, crisis intervention, mood disorders, general counselling, and emotional challenges.
Set up your first appointment by calling Marlena Gosnell at the Gitwinksihlkw Health Center, 250-633-2611. After that, set up appointments directly with Devin at 250-615-6512.
For more information, see www.nihc.ca / Devin Pollitt.
Clinical Counsellor – EMDR Specialist
Jennifer Venditelli, M.Ed, RCC, is available six days per month in the Nass Valley. She 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 / Jennifer-Venditelli.
Clinical Counsellor – Neuropsychology Specialist
Deborah Barkowsky, MA, RCC, is available five days per month in the Nass Valley. She specializes in behavioural neuropsychology, cognition, and how our brain manages decision-making. She specializes in healing from trauma and abuse, as well as community initiatives to reduce violence.
To make an appointment, call Marlena Gosnell at the Gitwinksihlkw Health Center, 250-633-2611.
For more information, see www.deborahbarkowsky.ca.
Clinical Counsellor – Nisga’a Specialist
Brenna Doolan, M.Ed, RCC, is available on a locum basis in the Nass Valley. Brenna is a Nisga’a citizen (Gingolx) and brings a deep understanding of our culture to her work. Based in Vancouver, Brenna sees our people both remotely (Zoom, phone) and in-person in the valley.
To make an appointment, call Marlena Gosnell at the Gitwinksihlkw Health Center, 250-633-2611.
For more information, see www.counsellinggroup.org/brenna-doolan.
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.
Art Therapy
Morgan Reinsbakken, BSc, DVATI, is available 12 days per month in the Nass valley. She is a highly experienced therapist who is trained in the use of art therapy as an effective means to working primarily with children experiencing attachment trauma and emotional regulation challenges.
To make an appointment, call Marlena Gosnell at the Gitwinksihlkw Health Center, 250-633-2611.
For more information see www.artbeattherapystudio.com.
Workshops, Support Groups, and Special Programs
Through a partnership with Stephanie Erickson, MA, RCC, and her team of masters-level Indigenous Clinical Counsellors at Strawberry Medicine Counselling, we offer a variety of programs throughout the year that support people feeling well in their life. Programs include Emotional Family Focussed Therapy, Becoming Ancestors, Circle of Security (parenting program), Full Moon Release Ceremony, and spiritual healing. Watch the website and Facebook for announcements.
For more information, see www.strawberry.medicine.com.
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
For a mental health crisis, call 250-975-0991 anytime.
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
Steve Johnson | Team Lead, Mental Health
250-633-2611
Stephen.johnson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Shelley Wilson | Director of Mental Health and Wellness
Phone: 250-975-1847
Shelley.wilson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Alcohol and Addictions Counsellors
Gitlaxt’aamiks and Gitwinksihlkw
Leonard Robinson
leonard.robinson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Laxgalts’ap
Bill Leeson
bill.leeson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Gingolx
Kimberly Lincoln
Kimberly.lincoln@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Nadine Alison Stewart | Life Skills Worker
Alison.stewart@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Tanya Stanley | Traditional Wellness Worker
Tanya.stanley@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
William Morrison | Community Integrated Worker
William.Morrison@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
Marlena Gosnell | Community Wellness Worker
Marlena.gosnell@nisgaahealth.bc.ca