Nunavut Youth Leaders

'It's unbearable': Nunavut still experiencing a suicide epidemic, 6 years after crisis was declared

'It's unbearable': Nunavut still experiencing a suicide epidemic, 6 years after crisis was declared

For Iqaluit youths Joseph Ashoona and Deion Pearce, the recent suicide of a beloved friend in their hockey community was their breaking point. “This is enough, we’re drawing the line here,” Pearce said in a joint video interview with CTVNews.ca Wednesday. “We’ve lost too many friends, close friends [and] family members.” The COVID-19 pandemic, the recent water crisis in Iqaluit and the decades-long housing, health and mental health crises are all factors contributing to Nunavut’s ongoing suicide epidemic.