Kamatsiaqtut, Baffin Crisis Line: Community Ownership of Support in a Small Town (IN: Suicide in Canada, edited by A A Leenaars, S Wenckstern, I Sakinofsky, R J Dyck, M J Kral & R C Bland)

This chapter profiles Kamatsiaqtut, Baffin Crisis Line, a telephone counselling/contact service in Iqaluit in Canada’s Arctic. The history & unique features of this service are described. The extensive involvement of the community in the development & ongoing support of Kamatsiaqtut is discussed. The authors make 8 recommendations for people who are planning or running a program. Some of the problems that have been encountered, e.g. a small volunteer pool, limited hours of sevice, are discussed.