Structural and cultural factors in suicide prevention: The contrast between mainstream and Inuit approaches to understanding and preventing suicide.

This article is a documentary analysis of Inuit knowledge about suicide prevention which yields insights into how structural and cultural factors are essential to curbing suicide in marginalized populations. This study investigated the grey literature produced by Inuit community organizations and Inuit-led regional governments for Inuit understandings of suicide, its causes and prevention. Findings include that Inuit identify rapid colonization and its effects as the root of Inuit’s highest suicide rate of any group in Canada; that suicide cannot be viewed in isolation from socio-economic conditions; that restoring the cultural pride of Inuit is essential to mental well-being; and that Inuit have created suicide prevention models building on strengths, relationship skills building and engaging the community, particularly youth and elders. This article makes an important contribution to the academic literature and social work practice in documenting Inuit suicide prevention concepts as a complement to western models which focus on individual depression.

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