Government Commitments

Suicide Prevention

Nunavut suicide prevention plan focuses on supporting young people

October 31, 2024

Cabinet ministers, representatives from RCMP, NTI and Embrace Life Council sign five-year plan

Cabinet ministers and organization leaders gather at the legislative assembly Wednesday to sign the Inuusivut Anninaqtuq Action Plan – Nunavut’s five-year suicide prevention plan. From left: Culture and Heritage Minister Daniel Qavvik, Family Services Minister Margaret Nakashuk, deputy Premier Pamela Gross, Health Minister John Main, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Aluki Kotierk, Embrace Life Council executive director Cecile Guerin, RCMP Staff Sgt.-Maj. Pauline Melanson, Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Justice Minister David Akeeagok. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)

By  Jeff Pelletier – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

NationTalk: Nunatsiaq NewsA new suicide-prevention plan for Nunavut focuses on supporting and empowering young people, and comes with a signed commitment from the Government of Nunavut and other organizations.

Premier P.J. Akeeagok, Health Minister John Main and leaders from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Nunavut RCMP and Embrace Life Council signed the Inuusivut Annirnaqtut 2024-2029 — a five-year plan for preventing suicides in Nunavut.

Main presented the 48-page document, which outlines 25 “action items” Wednesday in the legislature.

Some of the youth-focused items include developing Nunavut-specific strategies to prevent violence and bullying, promoting Inuit culture and wellness in schools, increasing youth participation at leadership tables, and developing safe spaces for youths in all communities.

Other strategies listed include increasing Inuit employment through training and career assistance, strengthening helpline services, and enhancing treatment services for substance use.

“It’s a really well-prepared and thought-out plan, and that’s why I am so excited and hopeful,” Main said, speaking to reporters.

According to information filed by Main in the legislature earlier this week, between 2010 and the first three months in 2024, there have been 451 suicides involving Inuit living in Nunavut.

During that same period, there were also seven suicides involving non-Inuit people.

The new plan was drawn up in consultation with young people, elders, mental health experts and Nunavut’s Inuit organizations, Main said, and builds on issues addressed in previous suicide action plans.

Akeeagok said a 2021 student protest in Iqaluit influenced the creation of the new prevention plan.

“They wanted action on suicide prevention,” Akeeagok said in the legislature.

“They wanted hope.”

Another theme of the new plan is accountability.

Each of the action items designates which Nunavut government department or organization is responsible for its implementation.

“This action plan really does speak to the importance of accountability through appropriate evaluation methods, and reporting and monitoring to ensure this action plan is doing what it’s intended to do,” said Opal McInnis, president of the board of Embrace Life Council.

“Our hope is to see the number of deaths decrease, but also to promote community resiliency, to see enhanced collaboration, to really see people working together, communicating more effectively when it comes to wellness issues.”

Here are resources for people in distress who need to talk with someone:

Kamatsiaqtut Help Line is Nunavut-specific and offers services in Inuktitut. Phone: 979-3333 for Iqaluit residents and 1-800-265-3333 for other Nunavummiut.

The First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310 or chat online at hopeforwellness.ca.

Healing by Talking Program offers virtual long-term counselling services to Inuit across Nunavut: visit your local Health Centre for more information, or email healing@gov.nu.ca, or call toll-free at 1-888-648-0070 or 867-975-5367.

Talk Suicide Canada is available 24/7 for anyone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide. Call 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (4pm to midnight