Youth voice captured in Representative for Children and Youth’s Office review of child and youth mental health services in Nunavut

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Iqaluit, NU – Representative for Children and Youth’s Office (RCYO) staff have been reaching out to young people in Nunavut communities for their input on mental health services for children and youth.

In October 2017, the RCYO announced their review of these services and as part of that review, RCYO staff have been administering surveys to youth in schools throughout the Kilikmeot, Kivalliq, and Baffin regions. To date, more than 140 surveys have been completed by young Nunavummiut.

The surveys are an opportunity for youth to have their voice heard about services and programs that directly impact them. “Young people are the experts on what they need in their life and their voice is often overlooked,” says Sherry McNeil-Mulak, Representative for Children and Youth. “It’s always a priority for our office to include the voice of young people in our work and in this review youth voice will be at the centre.”

The communities visited were chosen by the RCYO because they capture approximately half of the youth population in each region. “Obtaining input from three regions is also very important to our review as it may help to identify possible regional differences,” says McNeil-Mulak.

In addition to youth voice, the RCYO is asking for input from the general public on mental health services for children and youth in the territory. The RCYO encourages all Nunavummiut over the age of 16, to visit www.rcynu.ca or call the office toll free at 1-855-449-8118 to complete the survey.

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For more information:

Kim Foster
Manager of Communications and Public Awareness
867-975-5091 | kfoster@rcynu.ca