Suicides in Nunavut hit 10-year low but more needs to be done, says advocate

Nunavut had 25 deaths by suicidein 2017, the fewest in 10 years.

The number, released by Nunavut's Chief Coroner, marks the second year in a row the territory has seen a drop in suicides.

Another highlight of the statistics is inPangnirtung, whichhad no suicidesfor the first time since 2000.

But officials behind Nunavut's suicide prevention action plan say the territory-wide number is still too high. The population of Nunavut is about 38,000.

• Inquestjury urgesemergency declaration

"I don't make too much of the lower number that we have. It's great to see, but I'd like to look at it from a more long-termperspective, like a five- or-10-year period," said David Lawson,president of the Embrace Life Council.

"I think that was the goal with our long-term strategy to bring that number down over a long term."

Action plan, in action

The strategy,InuusivutAnninaqtuq roughly translated as "our lives are valuable and should be protected" is a five-year action plan divvying up specific tasks among the government of Nunavut, NunavutTunngavik, the Embrace Life Counciland theRCMP.

The plan opened up $16 million for Nunavut communities to access for their wellness programs.

• Summit compiles communities' best practices

Since the plan's launch last June, communities have increasingly come up with their own strategies.

"I think the most important thing is we're trying to listen to communities," said KarenKabloona, Nunavut's associate deputy minister of quality of life, adding thatseveral million dollars are going to communities this fiscal year.

Kabloonapointed to several examples of new community-based initiatives, including an elder who applied for funding to hold a traditional skills-building workshop, and howPangnirtungis developing a community-tailored action plan.

"So it's the initiatives that the communities say they need to do for building a strong culture, intervention and prevention."

Housing, poverty are priorities

Lawson says in order for the number to come down furtherthe social determinants of Inuit health must be addressed.

The five-year action plan points to improved housing, poverty reduction and crime prevention as three key areas. According to the action plan, 38 per cent ofNunavummiutlive in overcrowded conditions. That has also been cited as contributing to Nunavut's high tuberculosis rates and other problems.

• 'Inadequate and unsafe' Inuit housing

"If we tackle those, I guarantee you the numbers will keep dropping," Lawsonsaid.

CBC News requested statistics from theRCMPon reported suicide attempts in 2017, but those numbers weren't immediately available.

If you're experiencing emotional distress and want to talk, call the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310.

For help in Inuktitut, you can callthe Kamatsiaqtut Help Line at 1-867-979-3333 or, toll-free from Nunavik or Nunavut, at 1-800-265-3333.