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World Suicide Prevention Day tomorrow

Who's helping youth, and how to reach them

NUNATSIAQ NEWS

Participants at the Youth Celebration Camp held in Coral Harbour at the end of August chose to celebrate life to show young people that they care. (PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI IDLOUT)

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Suicide is a problem everywhere. That's why countries around the globe will acknowledge World Suicide Prevention Day on Saturday, Sept. 10.

In Canada, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami suggests people use today to celebrate life with their families and loved ones, and to celebrate the achievements of the many people in Nunavut and Nunavik who are working hard to let youth know that their lives are important.

At the end of August, the Sara Matoo and the Youth Suicide Prevention Committee in Coral Harbour organized a "Youth Celebration Camp," where community members marched onto the land for games and a feast.

For six weeks this summer, six young Nunavimmiut kayaked a third of the way around the Nunavik coast spreading the Saputiit Youth Association's message that young people are important.

Earlier this year, the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation introduced the Yellow Ribbon campaign, distributing handy cards to kids and schools. One side of the yellow card instructs youth to give the card to a trusted person when they need help. The other side instructs that trusted person to stay with the youth once they are given the card, until they are safe.

Staff at the Ajunnginiq Centre - the Inuit centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization - is working on a book of elders' stories about how Inuit coped and overcame hardships in the past, to be published this fall.

Suicide is one of the 10 leading causes of death in Canada. Inuit suicide rates are as much as six times higher than the national average.

In September, 2004, the federal government earmarked $65 million over five years for a National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, but, says ITK in a press release, none of these funds have been released.

"The communities are ready," said Jason Tologanak, president of the Inuit National Youth Council in the same press release. "We can't wait for others to take action. We have to do it now. And although we don't expect miracles, and can't change things overnight, we're doing the best we can with the funds we have. We'll keep making a difference."

If you are feeling suicidal or need more information about suicide, you can call the Kamatsiaqtut Baffin Crisis Line at 867-979-3333 or toll-free at 1-800-265-3333 between 7 p.m. and 12 p.m, every day of the year, from Nunavut or Nunavik.

The Keewatin Crisis Line is also available at 867-645-3333, or call the Kugluktuk Awareness Centre at 867-982-4673.

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