'A battle no one knows about': Jordin Tootoo talks mental health at Red River College

Canada's first InukNHL player,Jordin Tootoo, delved into his mental health and addictions issues at a RedRiver College forum, during a stop in Winnipeg on his cross-Canada speaking tour Wednesday.

Tootoo, who grew up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, retired from the NHL in 2018, and has spent his retirement speaking outabout mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

"We all know that suicide is a national epidemic, and it's more prevalent across our communities in the far north," Tootoo said at the forum.

"Every Indigenous person I've met has been touched or affected by suicide....We all fight a battle no one knows about."

Tootoo is fighting that battle himself.

He struggled with addictions and other mental health problems after the loss of his older brother, Terence, who died bysuicide after being charged with impaired driving in 2002, at age 22.

A suicide note read: ''Do well, Jor. Go all the way. Take care of the family. You're the man, Ter.''

Tootoo says going all the way means beingpart of a solution. He's nine years sober, has a wife and two daughters and is a mental health advocate.

Watch Jordin Tootoo talk about his work in suicide prevention:

Jordin Tootoo talks about suicide prevention

5 years ago

Duration 1:14

Former hockey player Jordin Tootoo is on a Canada-wide speaking tour delving deeply into his own struggle about mental health. He also touches on the death of Inuit singer Kelly Fraser, who died by suicide this past Christmas.

"I think it really opens up those communication lines for not only students but, you know, our communities in the far north to say, 'Hey, you know, if Jordan can open up on a public level,so can we,'" he said.

Tootoohopes men will learn from his example and speak openly about their struggles.

"No one talks about it, especially us men, who are supposed to be defenders and leaders," Tootoo said.

"It's time to change....The old ways have never worked."

'Hits close to home'

One man was particularly struck by Tootoo's words.

"Ithit me kind of hard because his story and my story are very similar. I suffered with addiction and abused alcohol during a rough time in life," said KaleBrereton, a Red River College student.

"His book was one of the things that helped me really turn a corner."

Brereton says he's learned over the years to be more open about his feelings.

"Men need to learn to learn to talk and be able to speak about their emotions. And I think a lot of the times we drowned our sorrows, we forget that we have tear ducts for a reason, and hearts that can break. And I think it's time men turn a corner and kind of embrace that they're human."

Inuitstudent Stephanie Nirlungayuksaid Tootoo's words "hits close to home," because she's also from Nunavut.

"I feel like I've known him my whole life. A lot of people in Nunavut can relate to that situation. It's a really good experience to actually hear him speak first-hand on his experience with mental health and living in Nunavut," she said.

Another Red River student found Tootoo's words impactful. Faith Whiteway, who's in the Ojibway language program, saidshe's happy to hear from a person with addictionissues who is sober and working hard every day.

For her, being part of the Ojibway program has been healing, as she approaches one year of sobriety.

"Learning your language plays a huge part in healing and recovering," Whiteway said.

"Just seeing him up there in front of alot of students, that's something that we should be seeing a lot today."

Watch Jordin Tootoo talk about the importance of inclusion in hockey:

Jordin Tootoo on inclusion in hockey

5 years ago

Duration 1:03

The first Inuit player in the NHL, Jordin Tootoo explains why inclusion is so important in all facets of life.