Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
In the four years between 2003 and 2007, 39 Northwest Territories residents took their own lives, according to the most recent NWT Health Status report.

"In the NWT, our suicide rate is about double the national average," said Sara Chorostkowski, acting manager of child and family services with the NWT Department of Health and Social Services.

"The whole community will mourn the loss. We really believe the prevention of suicide is everybody's business."

The report stated suicide rates in the NWT are higher among males than females. Attempted suicide was higher among females, which suggests males are using more "lethal" methods, such as firearms and hangings.

The report also stated that suicide rates in smaller communities were double those in Yellowknife.

The Northwest Territories Suicide Prevention Training Program aims to bring those numbers down, said Chorostkowski.

The program, which began in the early 1990s, was revamped a few years ago. Now, it is using the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training program (ASIST), according to the territory's Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for 2012 to 2015.

ASIST is aimed at training community members as well as professional wellness workers.

The department held four two-day ASIST workshops took place in the territory last year, two of which were held in Yellowknife while the others took place in Norman Wells and Fort Simpson, Chorostkowski said. Another took place in Hay River late this summer.

Now, five-day workshops are being scheduledto train health and social services staff members across the territory. This training will teach participants how to conduct the two-day ASIST training workshops in their regions.

While the training had taken place in 2008 and 2009, Chorostkowski said staff turnover required the training to be offered again.

"We've committed every region will offer the two-day course in every community," Chorostkowski said. "People will go back to their regions and offer it in their communities."

Offering the two-day program to all residents doesn't just increase the number of people available if someone needs help, it also increases a community's support network as a whole.

For those trained, it can enable them to overcome their own fears around talking to someone about suicide.

"Any community member who has an interest in this issue can take this training," she said. "People are scared to talk about it, they're not sure what they're going to uncover. This gives you the skills to recognize the signs."

Stacy, who asked that her last name not be published, is one of two co-ordinators at the NWT Help Line. The service has both a local Yellowknife number and a toll-free number, so it can be accessed from any community in the territory.

Stacy said the centre receives approximately 700 calls from throughout the NWT each year. Although not all calls are from individuals considering suicide, the help line provides an anonymous support system to those who need help, including those who are thinking of suicide.

"Communities are so tiny in a lot of cases everybody knows everyone," she said. "It's nice to be able to share your thoughts and feelings with someone who is not of your family and community."

While volunteers don't provide counselling, they are given training on child abuse, trauma and suicide intervention. They can assess a situation and refer callers to the appropriate agency.

Stacy said most of the time, people who use the help line just need someone to listen.

"In a lot of cases, people just need to reach out and talk to someone," she said. "They're talking to someone who is not going to judge them."

There are various reasons why the suicide rate in the NWT is so high, according to the Department of Health and Social Services.

Colonization, the effects of residential school, poverty and alcohol use can all be factors. While factors are known, patterns and trends are more elusive, according to the NWT coroner's 2009 annual report.

The report shows there were eight suicides that year. Two took place in February, two took place in December and another two took place in July. There was one each in April and May.

Stacy said calls to the Help Line also don't seem to adhere to a theme. For example, she said calls do not seem to increase at Christmas, which can sometimes be a stressful time.

"That's something we've watched," she said. "We don't seem to see a pattern with calls."

No matter what the reasons, Chorostkowski said stepping up and offering to help someone can be the difference between life and death.

"If you think somebody is suicidal, it's important to act," she said.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.