Nunavut is making progress on mental health issues: Embrace Life Council

Nunavut is making positive changes on mental health issues, Jenny Tierney, executive director of the Embrace Life Council said.

But more work is still needed — in 2012, there were 27 deaths by suicide in Nunavut.

Tierney spoke to Nunatsiaq News, May 7, during the Canadian Mental Health Association’s 62nd annual mental health week, May 6 to 12.

Its goal: to raise awareness about mental health issues in Canada.

To that end, the Akausisarvik Mental Health Treatment Center and the Embrace Life Council plan to hold a community feast May 10 in Iqaluit at the Anglican Parish Hall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. where will be caribou stew, bannock, country food and door prizes.

Tierney is encouraging people to wear green — the mental health awareness colour — to the Iqaluit feast.

Generally, people in Nunavut are becoming more aware what mental health resources are available, Tierney said.

And, more people know how to help somebody, who may be having a hard time or contemplating suicide, she said.

Progress is also being made on the Nunavut suicide prevention strategy action plan, collaboration between the GN, Embrace Life Council, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the RCMP, she said, with “a lot going on behind the scenes.”

The Embrace Life Council has mailed out “resource cards” featuring crisis phone numbers to all of the communities, enough to hand out to everyone, Tierney said.

The cards are similar to those which were distributed in Iqaluit last year.

Studies show there’s a need to make sure people know where to get help.

Information from 2007-08 Qanuippitali Inuit Health Survey, released last September, show that 48 per cent of Inuit respondents thought about suicide at some point during their lives and at least one in four — 29 per cent — attempted suicide at some point during their lives.

More than 40 per cent have also reported suffering severe sexual abuse as children: 52 per cent of all women and 22 per cent of all men.

Youth who want to talk to someone can call the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line at (867) 979-3333 or 1-800-265-3333 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

The 24-7 Kids Help Phone also offers counsellors at 1-800-668-6868.