Filming of the documentary in the CLSCs of UTHC
60-minute documentary
Accessible at all times on the tou.tv platform
Aired in the series Doc humanity on Saturday, January 20, 2024
Filmed in Kangiqsujuaq, Kangirsuk and Kuujjuaq in early April 2023, the documentary Voices in My Head explores the mental health services that exist for Nunavimmiut, the inhabitants of Nunavik. The documentary explains how Inuit perceive mental health and the services offered to help and support patients in distress. It exposes the mental health challenges specific to Nunavik, a remote region north of the 55th parallel, in relation to the trauma experienced by users.
It is in the spirit of raising awareness among the population of southern Quebec of the reality of northerners that the documentary describes the daily life of employees of the Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre in connection with the practice of psychiatrist Dr. Marie-Eve Cotton, who has been working in the North for more than 20 years.
Mental illness is treated quite differently from one culture to another and even has spiritual value in some communities. For Dr. Cotton, it is imperative to learn to work with cultural beliefs and values other than those prevalent in southern Quebec.
During her many visits to the Far North, Dr. Marie-Eve Cotton quickly realized that Indigenous communities face difficult living conditions. The way she treats mental illness in the North is very different from the approach she uses in Montreal.
Raising awareness
It is important to ensure the health of the population, and mental health is as important as physical health. UTHC employees work to help people cope with and overcome traumatic experiences or treat mental illness. But what exactly is mental illness? It is a condition that significantly alters a person's thinking, emotions, or behaviour. There are many mental health disorders, and prevention and treatment of these can lead to stability and in some cases even a cure.
This documentary looks at Indigenous culture, spirituality and values in the treatment of mental illness. It is also an opportunity to learn about the lack of resources, to meet people engaged in a healing process and to see the positive initiatives developed in the region.
