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WARNING: This story includes reference to suicide.
A northern Manitoba First Nation says it is facing a mental health crisis that has led to four deaths in the past month, including three in the past two weeks.
Those four people, and another in the fall, took their own lives, making for five lives lost to suicide in the last six months in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, Chief Angela Levasseur stated in a Wednesday news release. There have been a number of other attempts as well, Levasseur said.
Nisichawayasihk has declared a state of emergency and “is urgently calling for immediate, co-ordinated and sustained intervention from provincial, federal, and First Nations partners,” the release states.
Levasseur is pleading for mobile crisis response teams to be deployed to the community, 65 kilometres west of Thompson (655 kilometres north of Winnipeg).
“Our front-line workers and health staff are exhausted and grieving alongside the community. We need additional support to address this crisis,” the release states. “Our people cannot carry this alone.”
Nisichawayasihk is also asking for help from mental health clinicians, therapists and cultural support workers, as well as youth–specific mental health services and long-term, sustainable investments in prevention and community healing.
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Chief Angela Levasseur is pleading for mobile crisis response teams to be deployed to the community, 65 kilometres west of Thompson. (ncncree.com)
The situation has placed immense emotional and psychological strain on the community — its members, leadership and service providers alike — Levasseur said, and she is imploring people to support one another.
“We must check on each other, speak openly, and encourage our people to seek help without fear or shame. There is strength in asking for help,” the release states.
The release says Nisichawayasihk’s chief and council are actively working with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, the Keewatin Tribal Council, Indigenous Services Canada and regional partners to co-ordinate immediate crisis response, and to develop immediate short- and long-term strategies to support healing and prevention.
“We must stand together to protect our people and remind every single person that they are valued, they are loved and they belong here,” the release states.
CBC News has reached out to Levasseur and Keewatin Tribal Council for comment, but had not heard back prior to publication.
A spokesperson for MKO said Grand Chief Garrison Settee was not immediately available.
Nisichawayasihk’s news release encourages community members and others in need of support to reach out for help:
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Family and Community Wellness Centre: 204-484-2341 (counselling on-call number: 431-354-1270).Klinic Crisis Line (24/7): 204-786-8686 or 1-888-322-3019.Hope for Wellness help line (First Nations and Inuit): 1-855-242-3310.Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566.
Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline can also be reached by calling or texting 988.
Anyone in need of help, or who knows someone in immediate danger, can also call RCMP (204-484-2288), Nisichawayasihk’s First Nation safety officers (204-307-0912) or the Nisichawayasihk community patrol (204-679-0226 or 431-354-2026), or to go to the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation nursing station.