Mental Wellness & Resilience in Nunavut

What is the purpose of this study?
This study aims to explore Nunavut residents’ experiences of mental resilience as well as their utilization patterns of (broadly defined) mental health support systems in three towns with the highest suicide rates: Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Pond Inlet.

How will this study be conducted?
This research has two parts: (1) an interview, and (2) a one-page questionnaire. The semi-structured interview is conversational in nature with an outline of questions and is expected to last between 30 minutes to 1 hour. The questionnaire is a single page and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Will I be compensated for my participation?
Yes. For your participation, you will receive a $25 gift card for gas or groceries.

Will my interview and questionnaire responses be kept confidential?
Yes. We deeply respect the sensitive and personal nature of one’s wellness experiences. As such, you will be assigned a code number for your interview and questionnaire, which will remain strictly confidential and securely held. Your name and signature are only required on the written consent form.

What are the potential disadvantages or risks to participating in the study?
We know of no disadvantages to participating in our study. In designing our interview and survey, we have strived to protect your confidentiality and minimize all potential risks. If you wish, we can send you a transcript of the interview before our analysis to ensure that you have not been misrepresented.

What happens after the research study is complete?
Our results will be shared with you (our participants) and the community. We also aim to use the results to advocate for targeted mental health funding from donors and the federal government. Finally, we will publish our results an academic literature.

Am I obligated to take part in this study?
No. If you choose to participate and then wish to withdraw from the study, you may do so at any time and without any repercussions.

What if there is a problem?
Any concern, complaint, or query you may have about this study or your participation in it will be addressed. Please do not hesitate to contact our research team (see the “Contact Info” tab or e-mail us here: nunavutwellness@gmail.com).

Who is coordinating and funding the research?
This study is part of a public service fellowship funded by Dartmouth College’s Dickey Center for International Understanding and the William Jewett Tucker Foundation at Dartmouth. The study is organized and coordinated by the funded Lombard Public Service Fellow, Sappho Gilbert, in conjunction with her partner and supervising organization, Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqaatigiit Embrace Life Council.

Who has reviewed and approved of the project?
The Nunavut Research Institute granted a health research license for this study. This research has also been reviewed and ethically approved by the Dartmouth Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS), which is the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Dartmouth College. Finally, the collaboration between the Principal Investigator (Louise Davies, MD MS), the Public Service/Research Fellow (Sappho Gilbert), and Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqaatigiit Embrace Life Council was approved by the organization’s Board in December 2014.

Thank you for taking the time to review this study information!

We are seeking participants for an interview on mental wellness and resilience!

 Are you between 18 and 40 years old? ✔

Would you like to receive a $25 gift card for gas or groceries? ✔

Do you have up to 1 hour to spare? ✔ 

If so, please e-mail nunavutwellness@gmail.com or call Sappho Gilbert at 867-975-3233 ext. 226 with your name and general availability.

Study background
In 2013, 45 suicides occurred in Nunavut, Canada – an annual record since the territory’s establishment in 1999. When mortality rates are age-standardized, suicide emerges as the cause of nearly one in six deaths in the territory. To put this further into perspective, Nunavut would have the second highest suicide rate in the world if it were a country. There is a need to identify what tools or forms of support are preferred and pursued among community members, and, in particular, young Inuit adults.  While there has been research on the sources and causes of mental health issues, there is a limited understanding of what actually helps Nunavut residents out of difficult times and poor mental health as they rebuild and maintain their wellness.

Aim

In board-approved partnership with the Embrace Life Council, we are working to identify young adults’ preferred tools for maintaining and rebuilding their mental health/wellness in three communities: Pond Inlet, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit. The research uses mixed methods, meaning there will be two parts to each of the ~10-20 interviews in each of the towns: (1) a quantitative demographics questionnaire, and (2) a qualitative semi-structured interview/conversation.

The goal of this is study to inform the Council and the local communities of the study results so that they may more effectively allocate their finite mental health resources/funds and advocate for increased, evidence-based investments. This work employs a community-based participatory action research approach, meaning we are greatly invested in the community’s perspective and contributions to the research project; we see local leaders and community members as partners at each step.

Please let us know if you are interested in participating (see “Contact Info” tab).