Advocating for mental health
Young Nunavummiut to be trained under Bell Let's Talk funding
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, January 23, 2017
NUNAVUT
The territory will see an infusion of $250,000 from Bell's Let's Talk to help support a new mental health program to be delivered by Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit Embrace Life Council.
Bell Let's Talk presented Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit Embrace Life Council with $250,000 for a new mental health initiative in the territory Jan. 18 at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit. From left: Minister of Health George Hickes, Embrace Life Council executive director Kim Masson, six-time Olympic medalist and Bell Let's Talk spokesperson Clara Hughes, Embrace Litfe Council president David Lawson, Bell Let's Talk chairperson Mary Deacon, and Northwestel president and CEO Paul Flaherty. - Michele LeTourneau/NNSL photo |
"The safeTALK program will provide a half-day of training to Nunavummiut over the age of 15 to become suicide-alert peer helpers and connect those in their community who need support with life-saving intervention resources," chair for the Bell initiative, Mary Deacon explained.
The announcement was made at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit, one of six stops for the Bell Let's Talk cross-country tour, featuring six-time Olympic medalist and national spokesperson Clara Hughes.
Each year, Bell hosts a multi-platform fundraiser across social media, and the money is redirected to community mental health programs. For example, from Bell and Northwestel contributions, Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line receives much-needed funding.
Grade 12 students Jessica Matthews and Hope Carpenter emceed the event, directing questions about youth and mental health to a panel of four people: Hughes, Embrace Life Council president David Lawson, executive director Kim Masson and Health minister George Hickes.
As a spokesperson, Hughes speaks of her own experience with depression.
Matthews and Carpenter asked Hughes how attitudes about mental health and negative stereotyping can be addressed.
"Using words like crazy and psycho can really be hurtful," they said. "What language or attitude would you like to see students use when we talk about mental health?"
"I still struggle with finding the right words," said Hughes. "Depression is something that came into my life after I won my first Olympic medals. I thought I was on top of the world. I thought I was invincible. The best at what I did. I came home and everyone knew my name. And I'd go home at night and all I would do is cry and sleep."
Hughes said the key is to shift words from hurtful to helpful.
"You can actually save a life. You can let someone know that they're not being judged, that their voice is heard."
She noted sometimes no words are best.
"Sometimes listening is more powerful than words."
Hughes also stressed that nobody can do it alone, that we all need each other.
Lawson, when asked what work the Embrace Life Council does in suicide prevention, listed several initiatives, making special note of on-the-land programming initiatives. He said youth were present at a summit in May 2016.
"They spoke on what's needed for youth. In the action plan we're going forward with, we're making sure those recommendations from youth are included," he said. "I told you guys my story and how I am where I am today. One of my proudest moments was on the land when I caught my first seal, when I caught my first caribou. One of the things that came up is we need more land programs."
Lawson said the long-term suicide prevention action plan will be launched in the spring.
Matthews and Carpenter asked Hughes what advice she has for students having trouble reaching out.
"Don't wait. I waited until I was 34 years old to really start working on this. I look back at all those things I did in sport, all those Olympics, even with all the success I had - it's not a question of being better or winning more - it just could have been so much better in myself. Because some of those medals I won left me hating myself even more. Because really I was just sick inside, and outside I looked so strong," she said.
Hughes went on to say Inuit youth have inspired her as she's travelled across the North as a spokesperson in all Inuit regions, not just Nunavut.
"What I have learned is resilience and strength and beauty and patience. Realize that you have so much to share. You need to push the rest of the world to listen to the knowledge that you have, and be proud of that."
Help and resources available territory-wide are listed at the Embrace Life Council website.
