Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Cathy Towtongie today announced that the NTI Board of Directors and staff in all four office locations would be given the opportunity to participate in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). The two-day ASIST workshop teaches participants the skills necessary to identify people at risk of suicide, the way in which to speak to a person at risk of suicide, and the ability to take the steps necessary to link the person at risk with the care they need.
“Every single person in Nunavut has been personally affected by suicide. This issue touches us all. By offering ASIST training to our Board and staff, NTI is sending a strong message that we are dedicated to preventing suicide in Nunavut,” said Towtongie.
Towtongie’s announcement comes just weeks after NTI and its partners released the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan. The 2011-2014 action plan was created through an ongoing partnership between NTI, GN, Embrace Life Council, and RCMP.
“Every life is a precious gift. Everyone in Nunavut has a personal and professional obligation to do all that we can to prevent suicide. The current reality is unacceptable and we can make a difference,” said Towtongie.
