Should all Nunavut suicides get an inquest?

The ongoing suicide crisis in Canada’s North continues without let up.

Millions are spent on what seem to be worthless efforts to try and stem the tide that is taking the lives of so many.

Both the late Bill MacKenzie and I felt for years that the concept of trying to prevent a person from ending their life does not work. All this effort and money has made no difference.

Suicide continues unabated. Once a person has died by self-inflicted causes and is buried, that is the end of it. There is nothing more to be said. Bury and forget them.

This attitude must change. We can’t and must not forget them.

They were members of our society and for whatever reason, they decided to end their lives.

It is our responsibility to discover why. This only be accomplished by a full and proper investigation.

The Government of Nunavut should enact a law that will ensure an inquest will be held into the death of any person known to have committed suicide,

Painful as such an inquiry may be to the loved ones, family and friends of the deceased, it will determine why. It will map out in detail what may have been the circumstances leading up to the death. It will document all the details.

This valuable information will offer a clear picture for future reference to the social workers and others involved in dealing with this sad business.

They will be able to see an indicator, which might become a valuable tool in preventing further suicides.

As it is now, there is no investigation, no inquiry. Without an inquest the authorities may never learn that there may have been foul play in the death.

So nothing is learned from this desperate act by these poor individuals.

Let us know that those who choose to take their own lives do not die in vain.

Bryan Pearson
Iqaluit

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