Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (May 22/02) - Community wellness, healthy living and mental health are important topics in the Kivalliq region.

A number of events were recently promoted in Rankin Inlet to mark the 75th anniversary of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The events were held in conjunction with Mental Health Week.

Martha Malliki is studying to become a community health representative.

She is taking the program through Nunavut Arctic College, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Services.

Malliki says local health representatives came up with a plan to get local kids involved with healthy living.

"We went to the schools and got the kids to enter into a drawing contest with the theme of What Makes Me Happy," says Malliki.

"We had kids from kindergarten to Grade 6 hand in their drawings and a winning ticket was drawn for a new bike."

Health pamphlets were also distributed during the week at both the Northern store and Co-op.

Healthy living information was passed on via the local radio waves, and a mental health promotion was held at the drop-in centre to inform people about mental health services provided in the community.

Malliki says mental health and healthy living are important topics in Kivalliq communities.

"We don't have as much help available as places in southern Canada do.

"We're trying to make the community aware of the different departments they can go to for help.

"But, we're also very proactive in promoting community wellness through healthy living."

Malliki says there are social workers in Rankin people can approach if they feel they may need some help with an unhealthy problem or situation.

"We have a Canadian mental health nurse in town residents can see.

"And people should also be aware of local clergy, who often volunteer their time to counsel and help people in the community."