Iqaluit (May 09/05) - Hazel Woodley isn't surprised when she sits down with a distraught patient and hears, "I can't wait until the fishing season starts."

The psychiatric nurse at the Iqaluit Community Health Centre spends most her time working with Nunavummiut suffering from serious trauma and pain. With the passing of Mental Health Week from May 2-7, she said it's a fine time to remind people that physical wellness and mental well-being are connected, and one can't be neglected without affecting the other.

"You don't just look after the body, you look after the mind, too."

For Inuit, often the greatest form of therapy is going out on the land, she said. Other times it's just talking, especially with elders.

"It helps to verbalize the hurt, and the anger," she said. "Anger is a big issue. We try to give the message that anger is but one emotion. It's acknowledging it, or taking it out on yourself, or externalizing it through someone else."

"The people I don't see are probably going swimming, skating, out on the land."

Talking and exercise can only do so much, however. Housing shortages and unemployment are social issues that can't be solved by mental well-being alone, she said.

"If we could remedy some of the social problems, it'd make a big difference," she said.

In communities without psychiatric nurses, social workers take over for mental health.

Of course, some people find solace from other sources, like the church or other community members, she said. No matter where people turn, Woodley said the important thing to remember is that no one's alone.