Suicide inquest set for September
Sixteen suicides in Nunavut so far this year, health minister says
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Friday, June 5, 2015
IQALUIT
Nunavut's high suicide rate is "a shambled signal of the state of our society," said South Baffin MLA David Joanasie in the legislative assembly last week.
The office of the chief coroner, Padma Suramala, announced that the inquest into suicides in the territory is scheduled for Sept. 14 to 29 in Iqaluit. The inquest was delayed a year from when it was originally supposed to occur.
The purpose of the inquest is to inform the public of dangerous practices or conditions as they relate to suicide, according to a news release from Suramala's office.
"The intent of the inquest is to build on the work already done by the chief coroner and the community coroner with respect to suicide, highlight risk factors and warning signs, raise public awareness and facilitate making recommendations to avoid preventable deaths in future," Suramala said when it was first announced.
In the legislature, Health Minister Paul Okalik said there have been 16 suicides in Nunavut so far this year, after 27 in 2014 and 45 in 2013.
"We all know that the suicide rate is very high here and we are still working on this issue and this will be because it is a very difficult issue," said Okalik.
Joanasie asked what the Nunavut Task Force on Suicide Prevention and its partner organization have been doing to address the issue.
Okalik wasn't aware.
"The task force is not within the government and they operate on their own, so I can't respond immediately," responded Okalik.
"I will have to find out what they have been doing and their staff and director are working on it right now, from what I know."
Joanasie said Nunavut would benefit from programs that encourage people to develop self-confidence, self-esteem and the ability to deal with emotional trauma.
In March, the government held a suicide prevention meeting in Iqaluit and is still waiting for reports from that meeting.
Another meeting is scheduled for Rankin Inlet to talk with the community about suicide.
"We know that there is a suicide issue at all times here in Nunavut," said Okalik. "This is important to all of us. We will be looking into this problem that we are having here in Nunavut."
Anyone wishing to participate or make presentations at the inquest may contact the office of the chief coroner.
