‘We are losing our children’: Nunavummiut pond reflects the triple tragedy in the inlet
Warning: This story discusses suicide.
Verna Striclland was preparing for a wedding a week ago when she lost a young relative to suicide.
Striland said, “(that) and his friends were up the ladder, putting balloons and having fun as if nothing was happening in his mind.”
The 13 -year -old boy in the family of Striland died of suicide on 7 July.
John Main, Health Minister of Nunavut, said that three suicides occurred in Mitimatalik (pond inlet) during a short time. In July, the office of the coroner of the area said that it was Investigation of three deaths in the community.
Striclland stated that the family is still in pain, but they are managing to face with all the support they are receiving. But he said that it was a disadvantage that “no one has seen.”
She describes her young relative as a funny, outgoing child, who likes to hunt and was a good elder brother and son.
“He was just a child with a lot of ability,” he said.
Relaxation and connection post-trays
According to a report in the Legislature last year458 people died of suicide from 2010 to March 2024 in Nanavut – 451 of those deaths were among Inute.
Between 2014 and 2022, one of those who died of suicide met a mental health consultant or professional in 12 months before his death.
And his Annual 2023-2024 reportNunavut representative for children and youth found young people, 19 and less, was responsible for 23 percent of suicides recorded in five years for that report.
Canadian national inute organization Inute Tapirit Kanatami, ante estimates the suicide rate in Inute Nunnapan, which is five to 25 times higher than the rest of Canada. In June, Nanavut government Suicide again declared a crisis in the region.
Following suicides in July, Strikeland stated that there was a lot of support in the community, including the Canadian Red Cross and Rankin Inlet’s Pularavik Kabalu Maitri Center also included charity groups.
“Pularavik not only offered counseling, but also offered meaningful activities such as rock painting, healing circles, community ceremonies and sports. These efforts brought comfort, connections and many remedies,” he said.
Last week, in the Legislative Assembly, the tin -edge MLA Karen Nurkarak said that if it was not for the intervention and resources of the Health Department and other organizations, the situation could worsen.
He said, “Many youths were sent for counseling, as there were not enough resources in the community to support them all. We were afraid that there would be more and further efforts. Many youth were placed on mental health clock,” he said.
“While I would always be grateful to the support and resources that were provided to address the recent situation in the pond inlet, the sad fact is that these young lives are lost forever.”
In an interview with CBC News, Men said that he could definitely not say whether the tragedies in Pond Inlet have changed the government’s prevention of suicides – but it has brought a new sense of urgency.
“Every frequent tragedy works only to underline urgency and underline the need for action,” he said.
Supported by action
The chief emphasized that work is going on to address the suicide rate in the area. This includes more housing support and inclusion of land programs.
He also said that RCMP has introduced new efforts to educate Nunwumit about proper storage of firearms and medicines, which is one of the identified steps Fourth suicide prevention action plan of the region. It is also part of the $ 5 million package – which will also include money for men’s group programming – to be introduced to the Legislative Assembly this week.
“It can’t just offer ideas and prayers, supported by action,” he said.
With Parliament in the session, IDLOUT said it was going to raise its concerns for federal leaders in Ottawa.
“I am expressing the concerns of the people starting today, and will ask all the people to stand long because Inute is very capable, even today we are reaching using our culture, our language,” he said.
“They require more support and training for counseling services using Inute Qaujimajatuqangit. Helping each other, loving each other, we will reach for a better time.”
During a visit to some health care facilities at Iqaluit at the end of July, Federal Health Minister Marjori Mitchell said that the young suicide rate in Nunavut is a special concern for him, and she is working with the regional government to introduce new programs for youth in small communities.
Strikeland has been appreciated that there is no easy solution, but she said that she is trying to work in broken systems that disconnect in the intestated manner of life.
He said, “I will not show off all answers, but I am tired … I am tired of waiting for change that never comes enough. We are bleeding and band AIDS is not enough,” he said.
“We are losing our children and we are losing our future.”
If you or someone familiar with you is struggling, then here is to get help:
From this guide Center for addiction and mental health Prepare the outline to talk about suicide with someone that you are worried about.
