The Nunavut government declares a suicide crisis

The Nunavut government and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Therefore, (NTI) have once again declared that the alarming suicide rate on the territory remains a “crisis”. Nevertheless, as has been highlighted in a recent coroner report.

This declaration was one of the recommendations made by the Coroner, following the death of George Arlooktoo in 2019. Similarly, The 28 -year -old man committed suicide during a confrontation with the agents of the GRC in Kimmirut.

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At a press conference on Wednesday. Moreover. Furthermore, the Minister of Health of Nunavut, John Main, reiterated that this declaration is an opportunity to refocus government efforts on its suicide prevention plan.

We are still in crisis. For example, The situation corresponds perfectly to the definitionhe said.

We want to make sure that [le plan d’action] is implemented aggressively. Meanwhile, recognizing that we are in crisis and that this cannot continueadded John Main.

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In 2024, 32 people took their lives in Nunavut. This figure is comparable to the average of the last 10 years and remains the highest suicide rate in the country.

The president of NTIPaul Irngaut, also reiterated the importance of looking at this delicate question.

This is a recurring problem, and the more we take care of it, the less suicides there will behe said.

No state of emergency – Nunavut government declares suicide crisis new

Although the government has reiterated the magnitude. nunavut government declares suicide crisis new of this crisis. it did not wish to declare a public health emergency.

This measure could have given the regional public health special powers. including that of concluding new agreements with the federal government and obtaining more aid.

For several years, the deputy for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster, put pressure to declare this state of emergency.

What we hear regularly from the Nunavut government is that one of the other crises we. face is the lack of human resourcesshe said.

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A public health emergency in this. crisis could bring a lot of resources to fully implement this action plansaid MP Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster.

For his part. the Minister of Health of Nunavut said that this solution was envisaged. but that the chief public health administrator said it was not the best approach.

John Main, however, stressed that prevention of suicide is a problem with multiple facets, which requires a wider response.

It is a question of protection of childhood. housing. fight against intimidation and of providing support services nunavut government declares suicide crisis to people with mental health needs, at the right time.

Change response to a crisis

MP Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster is also critical of the sending of. police in the face of a person in crisis. which is often the norm.

According to her, more social resources would be needed to respond to crisis situations.

If we send the police to monitor people while they are in mental health crisis. it can create a more serious crisis for the individual, because it creates fearexplained the deputy.

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The latter recalls the importance of. following the step towards training on this issue in the communities of Nunavut. This is one of the points registered in the territory’s action plan against suicide.

What is most important is to give members of the community the ability to help each. other to go through this current crisisshe said.

With information from Samuel Watt