Nunavik advocates push for more Inuit-led suicide prevention efforts

Warning: This story contains some distressing details about suicide

Annie Nuktie has lost several friends and family to suicide over the past year — the most recent being her nephew in November.

"He was a good kid, he had a lot going for him and he left, just like that," Nuktie said. 

The following month, another teenage boy in Umiujaq, Que., took his own life. 

In a village of just over 500 people, any death affects the entire community. 

Mina Rita Niviaxie is the local youth house co-ordinator. She's also the cousin of the teenager who died in November. 

Since those deaths, she's noticed fewer youth showing up at the centre. 

"But when they do, they come up to me and talk about 'how do you feel about the situation'," she said. 

That dialogue, she said, is crucial in saving lives. 

Suicide rates are declining across Quebec. The latest report from the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ) shows a 1.3 per cent annual decrease since 2004 province-wide.

Nunavik's rates have also declined, but are still 12 times higher than the provincial average, and men are most at risk. 

Historically, Inuit in Canada had relatively low suicide rates. But they've risen dramatically since the 1980s.

Violence, substance misuse, intergenerational trauma and social inequities are among some of the factors involved, according to a study published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health.

Struggles of youth

Tuniq Ningiuruvik, director general of Nunavik Youth House Association, said their centres are safe places for youth. 

In the region's small villages, those centres are one of few places where youth can connect with each other and forget about their troubles. But some centres are aging, and a few villages don't have a centre.

Ningiuruvik said there are many reasons why youth might be struggling. 

"Is there any violence at home? Do they come to the youth houses to be safe? Are they hungry or have they eaten?" he said. 

Annie Nulukie specializes in suicide prevention at the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services. She said there's no "magic finger" to solve the issue. 

"It's an intimidating topic to get into, so we have a hard time finding ways to attract the workforce to really look into it, but we're trying," she said.

She said Nunavimmiut are still scarred from intergenerational trauma, and people are more isolated nowadays. That can be debilitating for a person's mental health, she said, and it goes against Inuit values of caring for one another.

"The way we survived was that we had a really strong relationship…. You were not by yourself but you were part of a big family. And so this is how you took care of each other," she said.  

Lack of resources

Jasmine John is the assistant director of psychosocial services at Kativik llisarniliriniq, Nunavik's school board. Every day, she sees the struggles youth face.

"There have been so many suicides since I've been up in Nunavik and I can't get used to it. I can't normalize it," she said. 

The remoteness of Nunavik's 14 villages — which are fly-in communities — makes it difficult to access services that are offered to other Quebecers. 

Staff retention, she said, becomes an issue that leads to a revolving door of workers and inconsistent support for youth.

"The fact that you're telling your story so many times, you just lose hope … you lose trust in people."

A spate of youth suicides in 2018 prompted the school board to call an emergency meeting.They came out of those meetings with several suggestions, including sharing more information about mental-health issues, more treatment for victims of sexual abuse, and more activities on the land.

John said things are improving. Fifteen of their 18 professional student support positions are now filled, and she said they're also talking more with Quebec's education ministries about Nunavik's challenges and needs. 

Importance of cultural reconnection — and hope

Inuuguminaq, Nunavik health board's suicide prevention strategy, has been in place since 2018. The strategy aims to improve mental health supports and suicide prevention awareness in Nunavik. 

As part of the strategy, the board hired four suicide prevention liaison workers to coordinate prevention efforts. While Nulukie would like more coverage across Nunavik, she said any wellness program is beneficial.

She points to several programs, including one run by the Unaaq Men's Association of Inukjuak, which helps men and boys reconnect with their culture by learning on the land survival skills, like building igloos and qamutiiks — traditional Inuit sleds. 

She also believes there needs to be stronger relationships between different agencies — and a renewed commitment to putting Inuit-led initiatives first.

"I think this piece has to be understood by, I guess, a European world," she said. 

Lionel Carmant, Quebec's minister responsible for social services, and Ian Lafrenière, Quebec's minister responsible for relations with First Nations and Inuit, said their governments have put specific measures for First Nations Inuit communities in their suicide prevention strategy, and is continuing its work on solutions adapted to Inuit realities. 

"In December 2023, we signed a framework agreement to begin negotiations for greater autonomy for Inuit in Nunavik and to confirm our desire for services in Nunavik to be provided by and for Inuit," they said. 

Umiujaq Youth House's Mina Rita Niviaxie agrees that services run by Inuit, for Inuit, is the way to go.

"I feel like a lot of the kids are more open to me because of us speaking the same language together … and I feel like they're happier when they're doing cultural activities," she said. 

Even as she's processing her own grief, Niviaxie is still trying to spread hope to others in the community.

It's a message her Aunt Nuktie shares. 

"Life does get better. It will get better. There's a lot of hope there, and so much to live for, so much to do."

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to look for help:

• In Nunavut and Nunavik, reach the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line 24/7 at 1-800-265-3333 or 867-979-3333.
• Inuit Values and Practices from NRBHSS: 1-877-686-2845 (phone, available 9am - 5pm ET in Inuktitut and English) 
• Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (phone) | 45645 (text between 4 p.m. and midnight ET).
• Hope For Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310 (phone, available in Inuktitut, Cree and Ojibway upon request).
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.