Iqaluit (Apr 28/03) - Rhoda Ungalaq has been a volunteer with the Kamatsiaqtut helpline for 14 years. She is a bilingual volunteer able to speak both English and Inuktitut.

The suicide prevention line is available to all Nunavut residents and is there to assist those who need emotional support or may be contemplating suicide.

Rhoda Ungalaq talks to individuals in need on a regular basis. As a volunteer for the Kamatsiaqtut suicide help line in Iqaluit she is there for those who need her. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo

News North: When did you get involved with the suicide prevention hotline?

Rhoda Ungalaq: In 1989. I was one of the second batch of people trained at the very beginning.

N/N: What made you decide to get involved?

RU: They were short of volunteers and there was a need in the community.

N/N: How much of a need is there for this service?

RU: We have such a large number of suicides in our communities, it is needed. Also, it's a very good cause to be a volunteer for.

N/N: What are your responsibilities?

RU: I answer telephones and do some counselling and also I am one of the co-ordinators for the AIDS information line.

N/N: How does someone get involved as a volunteer? What kind of training is involved?

RU: Normally if you want to join the crisis line, volunteers have to have training. Errol Fletcher and Sheila Levy do the training. The training covers basic things like listening skills, If there is an emergency how to keep people on the telephone and basic counselling skills.

N/N: How many volunteers does the line currently have?

RU: Around 40. We are always short of volunteers. We need more Inuktitut-speaking volunteers and more French-speaking volunteers.

N/N: How important is it to have Inuktitut-speaking volunteers?

RU: Sometimes there are people who would rather speak Inuktitut and sometimes we are short Inuktitut speakers and we have to ask them to call back on certain nights.

N/N: Does that cause a lot of problems, are people at greater risk for that reason?

RU: Not really. Most of the people who call normally speak English and if they're not in any immediate danger we ask them to call back. I've never been in that situation because I can speak both languages.

N/N: How much time can a volunteer expect to put in?

RU: People can choose. They can be on once a month or they can be on once a week. The more volunteers the less you have to be there.

N/N: How many calls do you receive in a night?

RU: Sometimes I go days without a call. Sometimes I get a call every time I am there. It's sporadic.

N/N: What are the feelings when you hear that phone ring?

RU: I used to get tense at the beginning. Every time the phone would ring I would jump a little. But, not any more because all calls are not a crisis. Some people just want to have a chat. We get calls from people who want to stop biting their fingernails to people really in crisis.

N/N: Have you ever had any scary situations on the phone?

RU: I have experienced people dying on the other end of the phone. They overdosed on pills.

Also people who have everything ready to do it and you have to talk them out of it.

N/N: What kind of emotional effect do those types of experiences have on you?

RU: When you are on the phone an hour, two hours - when everything is done you get completely exhausted.

It's emotionally draining.

N/N: What makes you want to keep going after calls like those?

RU: For me, if you can save one person, that's worth it. People call in crying because they are emotional and they need to talk about their problems.

When you are talking and listening to them they calm down and they say thank-you for helping me. That is satisfying emotionally.

N/N: Are you originally from Iqaluit?

RU: No. I moved from Iglulik in 1989.

N/N: How serious of a problem do you think suicide is in Nunavut?

RU: The problem is very serious. It's a big concern. Almost every community in Nunavut is touched by suicide.

N/N: Do you think the government is doing enough to prevent suicide?

RU: It's everybody's problem, not just the government's. Every one of us has to be involved to make it better.

It's not one problem, it's many problems. If it was one problem we'd be able to solve it.

N/N: What do you think are the problems?

RU: There are relationship problems, alcohol and drug problems, loss of control of the situation, loss of culture, I can go on.

N/N: If I came to you and asked you what can I do to help, what would you tell me?

RU: I would ask you -- what can you do to make things better?

You could get involved in recreation. Look at your special skills to see how you can help people. If you have musical talents you could teach music.

N/N: Do you think people know they can help? Or do they just think the problem is too big for them to do anything?

RU: I don't think anyone really knows they can help. I think they say 'I'd like to help, but I don't know how.'

It could be as simple as setting up a club and they can improve the community. Anybody can do something. If I don't play my part to make things better, who will?

N/N: How can people contact the hotline?

RU: Outside Nunavut they can call 1-800-265-3333. In Nunavut it's 979-3333.