Monday, April 11, 2016

Remote Canadian town declares emergency after 11 young people attempt suicide in one night...

A remote indigenous town in Canada has declared a state of emergency amid a suicide epidemic that saw 11 young people try and take their lives in a single night.

Council leaders in Attawapiskat First Nation, a town of just 2,000 people on remote James Bay, say they have been 'overwhelmed' with the number of suicide attempts in recent months.

Since September last year 101 people aged from 11 to 71 have attempted suicide with only four health workers, none of whom have mental health training, left to deal with the fall-out.

Chief Bruce Shisheesh and his council voted unanimously on Saturday night to declare an emergency meaning resources can be brought in from elsewhere to help, CBC reports.

The latest spate of suicides, which has plagued the community for decades, began last September when five young girls overdosed on medication and had to be airlifted to hospital. Full story...

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