"How do you breathe calm
air?"
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If
you are under 18 and live in one of the Kivalliq communities
of Arviat, Whale Cove, Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet (shown
here), Baker Lake, Coral Harbour or Repulse Bay, you can enter
a video in the "Breathe Calm Air" contest designed
to encourage youth to talk about mental health. (FILE PHOTO)
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If you're under 18 and live in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut,
you could win airline tickets with Calm Air by creating a short
video to share your thoughts on mental health.
The contest, called "Breathe Calm Air," is being launched
this week by National Hockey League star Jordin Tootoo and the Manitoba-based
airline that serves Tootoo's home region.
The goal is to encourage youth in the Kivalliq to think about
how they calm themselves, in an effort to raise awareness about
mental health.
"As teachers, we're always looking for opportunities
to help students develop skills and acquire knowledge that will
enable them to maximize their potential," said Claude Pike,
principal of Inuglak School in Whale Cove, in a release on the video
contest.
Pike said the Breathe Calm Air contest would also allow students
to share their message on the challenges associated with mental
health.
The competition asks youth to submit a 45-to-90-second-long
video that showcases what's important to help them "breathe
calm air," whether it's sports, talking with elders or
spending time with friends.
In a YouTube video, Tootoo talks about how he learned to calm
himself, describing some of his challenges with substance abuse,
the suicide of his older brotherTerence Tootooand what
he does to overcome mental health challenges in his life.
"Terrence felt like there was a lot of onus on him to show
the way for our people and there was just too much pressure for
him to admit that he messed up by getting a DUI, and ultimately
he decided to take his own life," says Jordin in the video,
posted below.
"It's a daily grind, but that's life, it's
hard, but what are you going to do today that's going to make
you a better person tomorrow?"
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