Structural and Cultural Factors in Suicide Prevention: The Contrast between Mainstream and Inuit Approaches to Understanding and Preventing Suicide

Abstract

This article is a documentary analysis of Inuit knowledge about suicide prevention which yields insights into how structural and cultural factors are essential to curbing suicide in marginalized populations. This study investigated the grey literature produced by Inuit community organizations and Inuit-led regional governments for Inuit understandings of suicide, its causes and prevention. Findings include that Inuit identify rapid colonization and its effects as the root of Inuit's highest suicide rate of any group in Canada; that suicide cannot be viewed in isolation from socio-economic conditions; that restoring the cultural pride of Inuit is essential to mental well-being; and that Inuit have created suicide prevention models building on strengths, relationship skills building and engaging the community, particularly youth and elders. This article makes an important contribution to the academic literature and social work practice in documenting Inuit suicide prevention concepts as a complement to western models which focus on individual depression.

Keywords::

• Inuit
• Indigenous
• Aboriginal
• suicide
• prevention
• resilience

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

^1. Inuk is the singular form of Inuit.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marika Morris

Marika Morris, PhD. is a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellow and an experienced community-based researcher with expertise in research with vulnerable populations and engaging in research with Indigenous, social housing and women's organizations. Address: School of Canadian Studies, Carleton University, 51 – 300 Cooper Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0G7, Canada. [email: [email protected]]

Claire Crooks

Claire Crooks, PhD, is Director of School Mental Health and Associate Professor. Her research focuses on evidence-based violence prevention and mental health promotion with youth, with a particular interest in strength-based approaches with Indigenous youth and communities. Address: Faculty of Education, Western University Room 1106, 1137 Western Road, London, ON N6G 1G7, Canada. [email: [email protected]]