Dez Loreen can be seen in a video for We Need To Talk About This Stuff.
A new video series, We Need To Talk About This Stuff, aims to remove the stigma surrounding substance abuse and mental health in the NWT.
In the three-part campaign, six northerners discuss their experiences with drugs, alcohol and their well-being.
Dec Loreen from Inuvik, one of the participants and host of Cabin Radio, said he was involved because “it is very important that we have a dialogue about safe drug use and safe partying here in the Arctic”.
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“People need to hear these messages from locals who are here, who they see in our community,” Loreen said.
Alana Kronstal, Head of Social Marketing and Health Promotion at the Office for Health and Social Affairs, said that the GNWT recognized that there is “a lot of power” in the stories of the residents.
“We have obtained permission from them to use these stories as video clips that others can hear firsthand and learn from, maybe see a little bit of themselves in it, and get some knowledge and wisdom from others who may be similar Gone away, ”said Kronstal.
“During Covid-19, many people’s mental health was compromised and substance use was an important way to deal with the stresses of the pandemic.”
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The videos are available on the Health and Social Services website and on YouTube. The department plans longer segments of more people in the future.
“There are many different ways to feel good,” says Kronstal. “We need many different perspectives, such as community counselors, helping professionals, elders and others who can help in a more informal role and share a lot of knowledge.
“It’s a shared experience. We’re just trying to show these stories to as many people as possible so that people don’t feel like they’re being judged just for being human. “
- If you need help with the NWT, you can contact the NWT Helpline at 1-800-661-0844, the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868, or search for support on this page.
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