Nunavik health board seeks input on youth issues, addictions, mental health

Do you live in Nunavik and want to give your insight on how to tackle youth issues, addictions or mental health in the region?

The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services is hosting an April 16 open line call-in show on Taqramiut Nipingat Inc.’s radio network to gather feedback from people in the region.

Starting at 9.a.m., to get feedback, Minnie Grey, the health board’s executive director, Muncy Novalinga, the chairperson of the health board’;s youth advistory committee, Siasi S. Irqumia, chairperson of the addictions committee, and Charlie Nowkawalk, the chairperson of the mental health advisory committee, will be on air to field questions and discuss their plans.

“This initiative marks a major change in the philosophy of the Nunavik health and social services network. The guideline for development of the system is the result of a participatory and collaborative process centred on the needs and wishes of Nunavimmiut,” Grey said in a news release about the call-in show.

The call-in show follows a move in 2009 by Nunavik’s Inuulitsivik and Tulattavik health centres to focus services on youth in difficulty, addictions, and mental health.

Last fall, the health board endorsed the recommendations of the three committees to work towards:

• community involvement in youth protection;

• an alternative-justice program for youth under the Young Offenders Act;

• a regional mental health prevention/promotion strategy;

• a network of community-based Inuit addictions counsellors; and,

• a substance abuse program (including prevention, detection and services) for six to 12 years old.

A second set of recommendations will go to the management and board of directors of the health board before the end of 2013, the health board says.

If you want to call in, the number to call is: 1-800-255-8901