Embrace Life Council named ‘champion of mental health’

Nunavut’s Embrace Life Council has been named best community organization for 2023 by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health.

The non-profit organization, also known as Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit, was named a “champion of mental health” for providing a great public service to community members experiencing mental illness, said Hana Sabah, a spokesperson for the alliance, in a news release Monday.

The Embrace Life Council is an Iqaluit-based mental health group that promotes all-encompassing mental wellness and social inclusion programs throughout the territory.

It was formed in 2004 to help address the high rates of suicide among youth in Nunavut.

The organization also runs offices out of Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet.

The annual advocacy campaign by the alliance of national mental health organizations acknowledges Canadians or organizations who “dedicate themselves to advancing mental and substance-use health initiatives across the nation,” Sabah said in the release.

Honourees were nominated by peers and community members and winners were selected by a group of health-care professionals representing people living with mental illnesses, their families and caregivers.

Others honoured for their work this year are Tina Colaco, Eva Milko, Willa Zlabis, Mike Beauchesne, Ontario MPP Bhutila Karpoche and Dr. AnnMarie Churchill.

This year’s winners will be celebrated at an event at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 3.