Inuk artist stands by plea for state of emergency over suicides in Nunavik

Over the past week, Beatrice Deer has been hearing from many people: someone who lost a family member to suicide, a mayor, her boss.

The 33-year-old Inuksinger's plea to elected leaders in Nunavik, the Inuit territory in Quebec's far north, to declare a state of emergency over a rash of recent suicideshas touched a chord with some.

• Inukartist pleads for 'state of emergency' to deal with suicides

In a statement from the ministry's communications officer, Quebec says ithas agreed the region can have six new mental health professionals.

However, it's not paying for those new resources.

Nunavik's own agencieswill be responsible forthose hired:a grief specialist, two psychologists, a social worker, a school counsellor and a crisis consultant.

Deer said she'shappyQuebec'sMinistry of Health has approved increasing the number of health care workers.

She says it's not enough, however. Deer is calling for one psychologist for every one of Nunavik's 15 communities.

7 more suicides since March

More staff for mental health care was part of the official request fromtheNunavikBoard of Health, theKativikSchool Board and the northern village ofKuujjuaqlast March.

At that time, five people in one village had recentlytaken their own lives. Since then, there have been seven more suicides inthree different communities.

• Inuit in Northern Quebec look to local solutions to tackle suicide

"I just hope that it's going to last, until we see results from our people," said Deer. "Untilwe see a positive impact, and I know that takes a long time.

No need for state of emergency, province says

Quebec's Health Ministry has issued a statement saying the suicide crisis in Nunavik does not fit the criteria to declare a state of emergency, because those new resources are on the way.

LucieCharlebois, the province's junior health minister, oversees this issue. She was not availablefor comment yesterday or today.

In a statement from the communications team, theministry saida state of emergency is only issued followinga biological, chemical or physical disasteror when needs, specifically in terms of staffing, are not adequate.

The ministry also said itappointed a crisis team last December after the first suicide.

No one from the Nunavik Health Board was immediatelyavailable for an interview to say when the new professionals will begin working.

Nunavut KamatsiaqtutHelpLine: 1-800-265-3333 (Every night, 7:00 p.m. to midnight)

KidsHelpPhone:1-800-668-6868