Nunavut releases 1-year action plan on suicide prevention

The Government of Nunavut has laidout what needs to happen over the next year to stop more deaths by suicide.

Theone-year Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan, calledResiliency Within,incorporates recommendations from the 2015's coroner's inquest onthe territory'ssuicide crisis.

The planis a partnership between the Nunavut government, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the RCMPand the Embrace Life Council.

"It was our way of thinking, our way of life. We must reclaim thatmindsetto thrive and be resilient."

'Us little people should be more involved'

Joanasie Akumalik, who lost his son Clyde to suicide in 2013, said he's happy to see something happening, sinceit's been six months since the inquest.

Akumalik might have a chance to have his say this May when a stakeholders summit is held in Iqaluitto work on a long-term planthat would extend for three to five years.

"We're going to involve all the communities to facilitate the consultations," said Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna. "Of course our partners who are here and we want to ensure that we give our local, smaller communities an opportunity to come up with longer term solutions."

Funding for a committee onquality of lifewill be debated by MLAsduring the spring sitting of the legislature.

The various groups are also in the process of creating a sensitivity training program for all RCMP members stationed in the territory.