Suicide is among the 10 leading causes of death in Canada. Inuit suicide rates are more than 11 times higher than the Canadian rate, according to Health Canada. And 83% of these are people under 30 years of age.

The suicide rates among Canadian Inuit is staggering. These rates have been comparable to some third world and developing nations for years, yet mental health facilities in Inuit Nunangat are pretty well non-existent. If the health professionals who could diagnose and help treat our people are available it is on a temporary "fly in - fly out" band-aid solution basis except in the larger centres.

As it is mainly Inuit youth who die by suicide the impact on Inuit Nunangat is considerable.
 
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Internet site references:

http://www.itk.ca

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca