A Nunavut suicide-prevention action plan launched in 2017, like one before it in 2011, has yet to result in the compilation of comprehensive data, not even the number of suicide attempts.

Health Minister George Hickes made that admission in the legislative assembly on June 6 while responding to questions from Arviat North-Whale Cove MLA John Main.

The GN has unsuccessfully sought a permanent mental health epidemiologist to devise a methodology for collecting data. There is someone filling the position currently, but only on a short-term contract, Hickes acknowledged. Since HickesSA国际影视传媒� statement, the Department of Health has reported that a permanent mental health epidemiologist has been hired and is scheduled to arrive in August.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not where we want to beSA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檒l fully admit and stress that,SA国际影视传媒� said the health minister. SA国际影视传媒淭here have been some challenges with establishing this, but I can say that it is something that weSA国际影视传媒檙e very ardently working on.SA国际影视传媒�

Main said jurisdictions that collect data on suicide attempts have a much more detailed understanding of suicidal behaviour among their populations than do jurisdictions which only collect data on deaths by suicide.

Jack Hicks, an expert on suicide who was instrumental in formulating the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy, concurred.

SA国际影视传媒淪uicide attempt data are important to understanding the full range of whatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening,SA国际影视传媒� he stated to Nunavut News, adding that the figures could help define demographics at highest risk as well as associated costs on the health system, such as medevacs required specifically related to suicide attempts.

SA国际影视传媒�The suicide situation in Nunavut is so serious that we need all the information we can get SA国际影视传媒� certainly including attempt data,SA国际影视传媒� said Hicks.

NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 suicide rate is often 10 times the Canadian rate on an annual basis.

Hicks cited the closing remarks of a GN lawyer from a 2015 coronerSA国际影视传媒檚 inquest indicating that the need to collect suicide attempts data is a SA国际影视传媒渄oable recommendationSA国际影视传媒� that would SA国际影视传媒減lay a vital role in saving lives.SA国际影视传媒�

Because attempts to take oneSA国际影视传媒檚 own life could be documented in different ways, Hicks pointed to the approach adopted in Alaska where overnight stays in health facilities related to suicide attempts are counted.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 no reason this couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be done in Nunavut. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 no reason it couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 have been done years ago,SA国际影视传媒� said Hicks.

He noted that he was working in a community last year where a dozen suicide attempts by teenagers occurred over a short span, and he was only aware because he was in town.

SA国际影视传媒�How often does that happen across the territory?SA国际影视传媒� he wondered. SA国际影视传媒淭here being no database, the knowledge is only in the heads of managers in the department, who will eventually leave or retire. So we effectively have no idea, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 crazy.SA国际影视传媒�

Main twice asked the health minister when Nunavummiut can expect suicide data to be made public and when the first review of the Inuusivut Anninaqtuq Action Plan on suicide will be released, outlining progress on goals.

Hickes wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 make a commitment.

SA国际影视传媒淚 do apologize sincerely. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 have a definite date for the member,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 hope that this fall I

will have a more firm response that I can provide.SA国际影视传媒�

Before the end of the spring sitting of the legislative assembly, Main submitted five written questions, formally asking how many annual progress reports have been produced on the Inuusivut Anninaqtuq Action Plan on suicide and the planSA国际影视传媒檚 various stated outcomes. He also asked that the barriers and challenges to implementation be identified and whether existing human and financial resources are in place to fulfill the GNSA国际影视传媒檚 responsibilities on suicide prevention.

SA国际影视传媒淭he GNSA国际影视传媒檚 answers to MainSA国际影视传媒檚 written questions should tell us a great deal about what is SA国际影视传媒� and isnSA国际影视传媒檛 SA国际影视传媒� happening, and what the barriers to full implementation are,SA国际影视传媒� stated Hicks. SA国际影视传媒淪o good on him for asking them.SA国际影视传媒�