Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 19, 2007

NUNAVUT - When people in Nunavut have a problem there is a number they can call.

The Kamatsiaqtut Help Line is there to listen when people have problems; from alcohol, addictions to suicide.

Sheila Levy answers a call in Iqaluit. Levy is the founder, president and trainer with the Kamatsiaqtut Help ine which provides help for residents across the territory of Nunavut. - Karen Mackenzie/NNSL photo

Some of these go hand-in-hand, said Sheila Levy, the founder, president and trainer with the Help Line.

"We (discuss) suicide a great deal, and we really do talk about how addictions," she said. "Use of alcohol and suicide can be closely involved."

She said the volunteers who help run the Help Line are trained to realize that someone drunk, or under the influence of drugs will sometimes call with thoughts of suicide.

She said sometimes people can be abusive on the phone, and the volunteers are trained to be as patient and understanding as possible.

"That's when they are highly suicidal, the two go hand-in-hand. We really want people to be aware of all this and to handle the calls accordingly," she said.

Volunteer-wise she said the Help Line is doing all right.

There are 15 new volunteers; 12 people who will be staffing the phones and three new trainers, Levy said.

The Help Line also receives funding from the federal government; recently part of that funding went towards helping them get a toll-free number running for the entire territory.

In the beginning the Help Line was small.

"We did it really with no money, that year we only gave the service to the people in Iqaluit for free.

We were working out of a closet practically, it was very tough," recalled Levy.

"Eventually other people wanted to get the service in other communities," she said.

People from communities would call the Iqaluit number long distance and they would tell her they would have liked a toll-free number.

When a person with addictions or other problems calls, Levy said that the group does more than just make referrals.

"We offer, obviously, listening and try to encourage people to take responsibility for their own decisions. We work hard at helping people make decisions that help themselves."