Council to seek solutions
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Kugluktuk (Apr 06/01) - The town's suicide HOPE-line remains off the hook.
Arlene and Harold Coomber ran the service for the last year, but have now moved to Yellowknife.
They ran the line from their home, but were unable to find someone willing to take over its operation before they moved.
Hamlet councillor Harold Bolduc said council planned to discuss ways to get the line back in operation when it meets April 16.
"Harold came to council and told us he was leaving and that we needed to find someone to manage the HOPE-line," said Bolduc.
One idea is to set the phone up in a public space rather than someone's home. That way, a number of people could volunteer their time to answer calls from people in distress.
That idea is a realistic one because many Kugluktuk residents have undergone suicide prevention training.
"There are a number of trained people in the community," said Bolduc.
"Before Harold took it over, there were a few people in town who said they'd be willing to do it if it was from a central location."
Bolduc said council would decide how to proceed and that they were willing to listen to suggestions.
The HOPE-line provided suicide counselling 24 hours a day, seven-days a week for the last year.
Until the service resumes, residents in need can call the Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Crisis Line at 1-800-265-3333.
