Desperation in Attawapiskat, where First Nation leaders fear for the young

There is fear more young people on the Attawapiskat First Nation will try to harm themselves as the northern Ontario community struggles to deal with a suicide crisis.

The chief theresaid 11people tried to kill themselveson Saturday night in the remote community of nearly2,000. In response, leaders declared a state of emergency.

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A group of young people whoappeared to be planning a group suicide were brought into the hospital to be assessed, said CrystalCulp, one of the relief nurses sent by theWeeneebaykoArea Health Authority, which is working with Health Canada to co-ordinate the response.

Police brought the youths to the local hospital in Attawapiskat for an evaluation, but the hospital was too overwhelmed to see all of them at once and about half of them waited in jail for treatment, said Anna BettyAchneepineskumof theNishnawbeAskiNation.

Culp noted some of the young people taken to hospital Mondaynight had already initiated steps to self-harm.

A forum with young people and mental health workers that was scheduled for Mondaynight was cancelled because so many young peoplewere at the hospital.

Police watched over them manybetween seven and 13 years oldas they spoke with mental healthcounsellorsabout their feelings of despair.

The young peoplesay bullying, a lack of things to do and overcrowding are some of the reasons driving them to try suicide.

Culpsaid a couple of young peopleare still in hospital, but most were released Monday night.

Achneepineskumsaidthe entire community in the James Bay region is so overwhelmed by the rash of suicide attempts that three of the four health-care workers have been sent to Thunder Bay forcounsellingand rest.

There are concerns more will try to end their livesif the community doesn't get some long-term help.

There is fear more young people on the Attawapiskat First Nation will try to harm themselves as the northern Ontario community struggles to deal with a suicide crisis.

Thirteen-year-old AmyHookimawsaid some of her friends some as young as six have talked about harming themselves.

She said they tell her their self-esteem is low and they don't have much to do.

"Grade fours, fives, sixes they say they want to kill themselves because there's a lot of people saying that. They always say that nobody cares about them."

Not many people are talking to reporters about the state of emergency, at the request of ChiefBruceShisheesh.

Shisheeshtold CBC News that he and other leaders don't want to lose any youth or members of the community.

"It hasn't been easy to be strong and stay positive, because I keep thinking about our young people," he said Monday.

The community was expected to hold meetings on suicide prevention and talk about a long-term solution to the problems on Tuesday.

Culpsaid more help, including a traditional healer, another doctorand a nurse,is arriving in the community.

Reserve police are working round the clock, watching to ensure everybody stays safe.

Meanwhile, counsellorsare brainstorming ways to help encourage youth inAttawapiskat.

Some of the ideas include developing a drug strategy and hosting more activities for young people.

Hookimawsaida lot of her friends need support.

"I just tell them that people do care and people do love you."

• Deepwater: A longform feature on First Nations teen deaths