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NUNAVUT
It's been one year since the Government of Nunavut released its suicide prevention action plan, and the Embrace Life Council executive director said the wheels are turning and the first steps of progress are being made.

Poaise Palluq joins a community-wide march in Clyde River to raise awareness about suicide on World Suicide Prevention Day, Sept. 10. - Peter Iqalukjuak photo

"I would say it exceeded my expectations," said Jenny Tierney of the past year. "We've had wonderful support from the communities. Lots of people who are willing to assist us in our work in the communities."

As of Aug. 31, Nunavut has experienced 18 suicides this year and 379 since 1999 - in a territory of 33,588 people, that stacks up monumentally against Canada's average suicide rate of nearly 11 per 100,000 people.

Of Nunavut's suicides, 313 were male and 66 were female, and the ages have ranged from 62 years old to as young as 12, according to the council. The highest risk group are males between the ages of 15 and 30.

In the 20-to-29 age group, almost half of all injury hospitalizations Iqaluit's Qikiqtani General Hospital sees are the result of suicide attempts.

Tierney said every community in Nunavut took part in events for World Suicide Prevention Day, on Sept. 10, either on the day or in the days around it.

"With the Embrace Life Day events that have been taking place, it's really helped us solidify connections in the communities and we're going to be working closely with those individuals and groups over the coming years," she said.

Kimmirut economic development officer Qapik Ikkidluak said there were events held in his community on Sept. 10.

"We had the suicide prevention day yesterday at the Akavak Centre," said Ikkidluak. "They were going to go around town but it was raining so they stayed inside the gym, played some games, had snacks."

The council made several announcements, as did the GN, in press releases sent out that day: the GN has provided another $100,000 to the council's core funding and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) has provided $20,000; 12 more trainers have been trained to provide applied suicide intervention (ASIST) skills training workshops in a model adapted to Nunavut, and ASIST training materials have been finalized and are in use; mental health first aid is being offered throughout the territory by 14 trainers; and two full-time positions in the mental health and wellness division of the Department of Health and Social Services continue to be staffed, one of which is a suicide prevention specialist.

The Embrace Life Council created and ran its Break the Silence campaign, which targets youth through posters and pamphlets, among other avenues.

"We don't want people to stay silent anymore," said Tierney. "We want them to ask for help, and let them know that there are people here who want to help and are available to help, and so we don't want suicide to be that taboo subject anymore. It affects way too many of us here."

Just as important, she said, is having a public discussion on what is leading to many of the suicides - high amounts of child sex abuse, substance abuse, and undiagnosed mental health issues.

The council has been looking at getting research on child sexual abuse out to the communities, and the impacts cannabis use can have on a developing brain.

Over the next year, the council is going to be concentrating on solidifying its connections in communities and in schools, and they will start a new information campaign. Tierney said the council aims to provide programming in the communities on healthy youth relationships, life skills for youth, as well as healthy families workshops.

For this first year, the council is aiming at reaching six to eight communities throughout Nunavut's three regions "and then see where we can go from there," said Tierney.

The council has applied for $25,000 in funding from the RCMP to offer some programming at the men's and women's facilities in Iqaluit, as well as the Baffin Correctional Centre, which would reach Nunavummiut from across the territory. As well, Tierney said the council has applied for about $75,000 from a variety of other sources for other programming.

Who to call for help

Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868

Nunavut Kamatsaiqtut Help Line
1-800-265-3333

Government of Nunavut staff counselling line
1-800-663-1142

Federal government staff counselling line
1-800-268-7708

Source: Jenny Tierney - Embrace Life Council

Applied suicide intervention skills training schedule

Two-day courses will be available for anyone who wants to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping people at immediate risk of suicide.

For more information, contact Caroline Anawak or Irene Fraser at the Department of Health and Social Services.

Arviat
September, date to be announced

Gjoa Haven
Sept. 20-21

Pond Inlet
Sept. 26-27 and Sept. 28-29

Rankin Inlet
Sept. 26-27 and another September session to be announced

Cape Dorset
Two sessions in October, dates to be announced

Chesterfield Inlet
Oct. 24-25

Taloyoak
Oct. 23-24

Clyde River
Nov. 21-22

Whale Cove
November, date to be announced

Source: Government of Nunavut

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