Lynne McVey, Executive Director of the Douglas Institute, and Charles-Edouard Carrier, Co-Director of the RUIS McGill Great North Mental Health Program, visited Kuujjuaq on June 17 and 18 to meet with their Nunavik mental health partners. The visit coincided with the 20th annual meeting of the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (RRSSSN), which they also attended.

During their stay, Ms. McVey and Mr. Carrier were pleased to meet with RRSSSN representatives to discuss suicide prevention and mental health strategies. They had discussions with community mental health stakeholders to better understand the unique challenges faced in the North. They also visited the Tullatavik Health Centre with medical staff.

As part of the RRSSSN annual meeting, they had the privilege to present the Douglas Institute and the services it offers as part of the Great North Mental Health Program in partnership with local teams.

Ms. McVey and Mr. Carrier were touched by the kindness of their hosts and welcomed the opportunity to lay the foundation for future collaboration with their Northern partners.

Douglas Institute services offered in the North:

• Approximately 140 patients seen among a population of 11,000 residents in 14 communities
• 500 teleconsultations this year
• A psychiatrist in the territory 12 weeks per year
• A full-time liaison nurse for Nunavik
• On-site training twice a year for mental health personnel
• Medical council available 24/7 at the Douglas Hospital Emergency Department
• Training on request as needed