In-person information sessions explaining Nunavut鈥檚 new mental health law, going into effect next year, are being held around the territory between Aug. 18 and Oct. 9.
Emphasizing family involvement when someone is experiencing mental illness, the right to appoint a tikkuaqtaujug (representative) to make decisions, as well as new language rights, are some of the areas covered in the Government of Nunavut's new legislation.
鈥淭here are specific positions that have been created for the implementation of the Mental Health Act,鈥� the GN鈥檚 Department of Health told Nunavut News in an email.
Rights advocate and community-assisted treatment coordinator positions will be added as part of the bill, according to the Department of Health.
Traditional knowledge wellness programming and developing a new addiction strategy are also part of the new law, according to Inuusivut Anninaqtuq (United for Life), Nunavut鈥檚 third suicide prevention action plan.
Nunavut has, by far, the highest suicide rate in Canada, more than triple that of the Northwest Territories and nearly 10 times greater than Ontario鈥檚 suicide rate.
The law will create an independent Mental Health Review Board and strengthens rules on community treatment orders, the Canadian Mental Health Association points out in a profile of the territory.
Part of the new commitment to mental health involves the completion of the Inuit-designed addictions and trauma treatment centre in Iqaluit, called Aqqusariaq (formerly the Nunavut Recovery Centre). The $83.7-million facility broke ground in 2023 and is expected to open by December.
Each of the territory鈥檚 25 communities can watch a live presentation followed by a question-and-answer period involving the government's mental health team and local employees.
鈥淭he sessions are to provide information and education to the community about the changes that have been made to the act and what to anticipate when the New Mental Health Act come into force in early 2026,鈥� the Department of Health stated.
Nunavut鈥檚 new Mental Health Act will come into force next year, after it passed the legislature in 2021, and will replace the previous bill originally drafted in 1988.
The law currently on the books being replaced was inherited from the Northwest Territories from before Nunavut became a territory, and it was amended nine times since the creation of a separate legislature.
Information sessions were held in Cambridge Bay on Aug. 18, Kugluktuk on Aug. 19, Kugaaruk on Aug. 20 and Gjoa Haven on Aug. 21.
Here are the remaining information sessions:
Arviat - Aug. 25
Whale Cove - Aug. 26
Rankin Inlet - Aug. 27
Chesterfield Inlet -Aug. 28
Resolute Bay - Sept. 2
Grise Fiord - Sept. 3
Arctic Bay - Sept. 4
Pond Inlet - Sept. 8
Kimmirut - Sept. 9
Pangnirtung - Sept. 10
Sanikiluaq - Sept. 15
Kinngait - Sept. 22
Coral Harbour - Sept. 23
Baker Lake - Sept. 24
Naujaat - Sept. 25
Qikiqtarjuaq - Oct. 1
Clyde River - Oct. 2
Taloyoak - Oct. 6
Iglulik - Oct. 7
Sanirajak - Oct. 8
Iqaluit - Oct. 9
