‘Your lives matter’: Nunavut officials sign off on fourth suicide prevention plan

“Hope” was the message received by Nunavut officials on Wednesday as they signed the territory’s fourth suicide prevention plan.

Inuusivut Anninaqtuq outlines a series of activities that four agencies have committed to – Nunavut RCMP, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Embrace Life Council and the Government of Nunavut.

Health Minister John Main called 48-page document “a road map to Nunavut where suicide is no longer normal.”

Prime Minister PJ Akeeagok said: Iqaluit Youth March 2021 the demand for action on suicide has spurred some action in this plan.

“They wanted to see hope where before there was uncertainty and despair,” he said. “We took this message to heart.”

“Your life matters, you matter, there is hope and there is always help.”

Main said his goal is to get the territory’s suicide rate to meet or fall below the national average.

According to the coroner’s office, 29 people have died by suicide this year in Nunavut. In 2023, 37 suicide deaths were recorded, in 2022 – 27, in 2021 – 37, and in 2020 – 27.

At a 2022 press conference, Tapiriit Kanatami Inuit President Natan Obed estimated that the suicide rate among Nunangat Inuit is from five to 25 times more than in the rest of Canada.

Responsibility is the basis

The plan has 25 action areas that cover a variety of issues beyond the immediate response. These include:

• Inuit training, employment and retention

• Strengthening cross-territorial assessments for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

• Mandatory violence and harassment training for Team Nunavut participants

• Complete an addiction and trauma treatment center in Iqaluit

• Taking a therapeutic approach to litigating cases involving Inuit

• Organize two territorial summits on suicide prevention in 2025 and 2028

A committee will also be formed to monitor each department’s progress in carrying out its assigned task.

A number of actions from the previous five-year plan were not implemented.

Main admitted there was confusion about who was responsible for each project, but the new plan addresses that problem.

“There is clear accountability, all approaches are evidence-based. And it all comes from mental health experts, Inuit organizations, youth and the elderly,” he said.

Opal McInnis, board chair of the Embrace Life Council (Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit), is optimistic that the new plan will include accountability.

“One activity is specifically focused on… developing an Inuit-led and Inuit-led assessment model,” she said.

The funding her organization received through this plan includes work in areas such as a Nunavut-specific anti-bullying campaign, an Inuit-focused look at 2LGBTQIA+ resources, and grief support.

Youth resilience measures

One area Main says he is particularly passionate about is youth resilience.

The document outlines plans to establish a Nunavut Youth Council and Youth Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, as well as create more spaces for youth in every community.

“Looking at how we can build resilience in our youngest population… gives them the skills to deal with mental health challenges when and if they arise,” Main said.

McInnis said talking about suicide can be difficult and triggering.

Her advice is to always spread the message of hope and understand that there is help for those who are struggling and for those who know people struggling.

“You may also be under-resourced…so make sure you’re using your network and advise your friends on other resources they can use.”

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