IQALUIT
Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit (Embrace Life Council) has stepped up to fulfill a jury recommendation from the fall 2015 coroner's inquest into the high rate of suicide in the territory.

Joanasie Akumalik, the father of a young man who died by suicide, supports the suicide bereavement group begun by Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit (Embrace Life Council) as a pilot project in Iqaluit in mid-August. - Michele LeTourneau/NNSL photo

The council hosted its second grief-support group in mid-August, and plans on continuing every second Tuesday of each month.

The council held a first session in December, said executive director Kimberly Masson. Invitations were sent out to families known to be grieving.

"It was very specific to families," said Masson. "For the (second session in August), we sent out a broad invitation."

That second session was not well-attended, but allowed those present to discuss future plans.

Joanasie Akumalik, whose son died by suicide in 2013, said those that did attend - him, staff from Embrace Life Council, a GN mental health worker and one grieving individual - discussed why the meeting was poorly attended and planned for the future.

"We thought that it has to become constant. Not just one shot. Do it repeatedly, monthly and on the same day. Try to educate people that there's something going on for bereavement each month," Akumalik said.

Also, he said, people who do attend would have to build trust among each other over time.

"If I was going to that meeting I would be very cautious about who is there and what's going to happen. Whether I just want to listen or open up. And, of course, August is not a great time to hold meetings and events, with school out and people on holidays," he said.

From now on, the support group will be held regularly and invitations will go out to those known to be grieving, as well as the community at large.

The next group session takes place Sept. 10, on Embrace Life Day. People who attend the Embrace Life Walk will then have the option to attend a mental health awareness concert organized in partnership with Alianait or the support group.

'People have to know'

Akumalik can attest to the healing which can occur from talking about grief. His mourning has been very public. His son Aapi was one of three suicides in 2013 which anchored the coroner's inquest and he is frequently called upon to speak to the press.

"People have to know. I feel the story is the same all the time - but each media organization puts it out differently each time so I think in that way it catches the public's eye," he said.

"When I talk about it, it comes back. The day I found my son not breathing comes back. Every time I talk about it, it becomes easier to talk about it ... To describe what happened and what my feelings are," Akumalik said. "I say that because there are people who lost loved ones to suicide and think they are the only ones that are going through this hardship. And I think people have a hard time talking about it because it's so sensitive."

Masson says the Iqaluit group is a pilot project, and will be set up in some form in other communities.

"It will manifest differently in each community, because each community has its own style," she said. The council intends to offer facilitator training for those who feel they need it in order to lead a group.

"We just really want to meet the needs of people," said Masson, adding that anyone with ides or suggestions should call the Embrace Life Council office.

"We want to be responsive to the needs of people."

In Rankin Inlet, there is no such group currently, said Noel Kaludjak, former regional director at Kivalliq Counselling and Support Services.

"No support group at all. Just family supporting each other. I heard about the one on Iqaluit," said Kaludjak. "It would be so helpful if it were introduced in communities."

In his experience, many people do not understand the process of grieving.

"I just made a presentation at one of the classes where I work. None of the folks knew about the grieving process. I gave them each a paper showing the process. Some are still in denial - one of the first stages."

In Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami's National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy released in July, healing unresolved trauma and grief is the fifth priority, after creating social equity, creating cultural continuity, nurturing healthy Inuit children and ensuring access to a continuum of mental wellness services for Inuit - with this objective: provide Inuit-specific interventions and resources to heal grief from loss, including from suicide.

Akumalik thinks grief support groups will catch on.

"It's a similar idea to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or a sewing group," he said. "I'm hoping the Embrace Life Council will be aggressive and try to promote it. And I wish there was a way to target the young people. We have to somehow do some eye-catching with the young people, like Facebook, maybe through high school."

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