The Nisga’a nation is coming together in a bid to stem the frustrations of the community over a number of suicides in the communities of the Nisga’a territory. This past month saw three young men join a tragic list now totaling nine since the signing of the Nisga’a’ treaty.
It’s a number that outlines a disconnect from community for those that were so troubled so as to take their lives and a situation that Nisga’a officials hope to address with a gathering planned for October 12 and 13 in New Aiyansh.
The Daily News provided details of the plans for the meetings and how local officials hope to turn around the desperate situations leading to tragedy.
Nisga’a nation to address suicides
Important gathering is being scheduled to help “strengthen” Nisga’a community
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Page one
The Nisga’a nation is grieving after the loss of three young men to separate instances of suicide occurring this past month, and community meetings in New Aiyansh are being planned to address the epidemic.
Mental health professionals from the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority went into action over a week ago, after a male in his 20’s took his life on Sunday, September 28.
Tragically, this past weekend, another Nisga’a male living in Terrace ended his life, bringing the number of suicides within the nation to nine since the Nisga’a Treaty was implemented in 2000.
A gathering will be held next week in New Aiyansh on October 12 and 13, where Chief Councillor Eva Clayton said the community will identify a collective plan to “strengthen our safety net to prevent more young people from taking their lives.”
This Wednesday (tomorrow), the NVHA will be holding a meeting with inter-agencies to develop a plan that will help with mourning and educate the public further on the issue of suicide.
“We have resources in the (Nass) Valley, and there are a number of (agencies) who do things, but we don’t do it well together,” said Gloria Murdoch-Smith, NVHA chief executive officer.
“The key is coming together to address this collectively.”
It’s a number that outlines a disconnect from community for those that were so troubled so as to take their lives and a situation that Nisga’a officials hope to address with a gathering planned for October 12 and 13 in New Aiyansh.
The Daily News provided details of the plans for the meetings and how local officials hope to turn around the desperate situations leading to tragedy.
Nisga’a nation to address suicides
Important gathering is being scheduled to help “strengthen” Nisga’a community
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Page one
The Nisga’a nation is grieving after the loss of three young men to separate instances of suicide occurring this past month, and community meetings in New Aiyansh are being planned to address the epidemic.
Mental health professionals from the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority went into action over a week ago, after a male in his 20’s took his life on Sunday, September 28.
Tragically, this past weekend, another Nisga’a male living in Terrace ended his life, bringing the number of suicides within the nation to nine since the Nisga’a Treaty was implemented in 2000.
A gathering will be held next week in New Aiyansh on October 12 and 13, where Chief Councillor Eva Clayton said the community will identify a collective plan to “strengthen our safety net to prevent more young people from taking their lives.”
This Wednesday (tomorrow), the NVHA will be holding a meeting with inter-agencies to develop a plan that will help with mourning and educate the public further on the issue of suicide.
“We have resources in the (Nass) Valley, and there are a number of (agencies) who do things, but we don’t do it well together,” said Gloria Murdoch-Smith, NVHA chief executive officer.
“The key is coming together to address this collectively.”
No comments:
Post a Comment