The NWT Help Line – a government toll-free phone service that helps people in distress – is experiencing technical difficulties, according to a news release issued by the GNWT on Thursday.
image sourced from the GNWT Department of Health and Social Services
Some calls are directing people to voice messages rather than staying on queue for a human responder, stated Damien Healy, manager of communications with the GWT Department of Health and Social Services.
"The issue has been traced to iPhones, and occurs occasionally when the Help Line receives a higher than normal call volume," Healy stated. "Help Line staff are working to address this issue."
The news release states that if callers experience this problem, they can leave a confidential voice message with their name and phone number and a trained responder will call back.
The phone line allows residents to call a toll-free number for support if they are experiencing personal issues like stress management, suicidal thoughts, abuse, sexual assault and depression or anxiety.
More information about the phone line can be found at the NWT Help Line page on the Department of Health and Social Services website.