INUUSIT / PROFILES
Stephanie Nigiyok WE ARE NEVER ALONE
IT TOOK ME 20
to finally be able to talk about what has happened to me. I was seven years old when I first started talking to someone; being bullied and navigating childhood trauma took a toll on how I reacted and addressed certain things. Being a young child and being sexually assaulted affected how I lived my life. Everyone told me ‘it’s just a game,’ and I knew it was wrong. Nobody ever came out as a “winner” in this “game”. It’s really strange that something like lighting or a certain smell can bring me back—and then I break down and ask myself: “why me?” I’m 27 years old now, and to this day I’m still talking to someone, mostly about depression, past trauma, and postpartum depression (PPD), since I became a mother at the mere age of 16. I rather enjoy these sessions because I get to let out what’s bothering me and not be judged for doing so. I believe that mental illness is something that latches itself onto YEARS
Mental illness in youth is rising— and I think if you address it sooner rather than later, then it’s a good thing.
your brain and your mind and can be your greatest enemy. As someone who is diagnosed with depression, I know the symptoms—and unfortunately, I also see a lot of it in today’s youth. And while these signs of depression are kind of hard to see, if they trust you good enough to talk about it, you get a glimpse—even if it’s a small window—of what’s going on in their lives. Usually, I see a lot of acting out, and increased drug/alcohol use in teens. Mental illness in youth is rising— and I think if you address it sooner rather than later, then it’s a good thing. I think kids today suffer in silence because they don’t want to be viewed as “weak” or “unworthy”, and because they do not want to be “outed” as the “weird kid”. But I think it’s a good thing to diagnose mental illnesses early on because it would make it easier to handle, and we could work together with a professional to ease the symptoms. If we work closer with youth, I really think that, as a community, we can address these issues and get them the help and resources they need to thrive and grow into someone that they are comfortable being. We could do more gatherings for youth to come together and build each other up—instead of tearing each other down. My experiences with expression or coping with my depression used to be heavy drug and alcohol use, until I saw that it caused more prob-
lems than solutions. Today, I usually sleep, clean, listen to music, or take nice warm baths to make myself feel better. The steps I’m taking today are also continuing to talk to a counsellor weekly. Whenever I get overwhelmed or suicidal, I go to a nurse— immediately. Taking antidepressants also helps me throughout the day. Remember: we are not alone.
IT'S OKAY TO TALK. MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR YOUTH:
CANADA-WIDE RESOURCES:
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 686868 https://www.crisistextline.ca/ Crisis Services: +1-833-456-4566 Text START to 45645, from 4pm–12am EST NWT RESOURCES:
NWT Help Line: 1-800-661-0844 Kids Help Line: 1-800-668-6868 Child Abuse Hotline: 1-880-661-6868 Canadian Suicide Response: 1-833-456-4566 Residential School Support and Counselling: 1-800-464-8106 Beaufort Delta Legal Services: 1-800-666-0704 Crisis Line: 1-877-872-5925 For a full directory of mental health and crisis resources, please visit: www.suicideprevention.ca/need-help/
NUTAAT INUIT YOUTH
19
