In Greenland, there is a great need for preventive and well-being interventions focusing on the mental well-being of children and young people. Suicide rates have remained high and largely unchanged among young people in Greenland since the 1970s. Research shows that there are very high incidences of violence and sexual abuse against children, and that many children and young people have an upbringing marked by their parents/guardians' abuse of alcohol and cannabis.
Kinguaariit Inuunerissut will create and test a concept for evidence-based well-being campaigns for children/adolescents and elderly with a focus on culture and nature. This is done in close collaboration with the Greenlandic municipality of Qeqqata Municipality where the project is anchored in terms of sustainability and scaling up in the next phase.
Purpose
It is the project's hypothesis that the development of an intergenerational concept for children/adolescents and the elderly will promote conversation, relationships and exchange of competences and cultural understanding between generations. This is expected to promote well-being in children and adolescents and thus prevent suicide. In addition, we work on the hypothesis that it is crucial for the well-being of children and young people that the initiatives developed mobilize volunteerism and create ownership in civil society. In this way, the amount of resources in families and communities can be increased and maintained.
Method
The project is inspired by the Eight Rocks model developed in Nunavut, Canada. An important element of the Eight Rocks model is practical learning of cultural skills and building relationships, both between young people and between young people and mentors. We will expand the concept by including elderly and the exchange between children/adolescents and the elderly. The purpose is to strengthen relations between the more resourceful and culture-bearing elderly and children/adolescents. Thus, we will develop and test a concept for intergenerational camps that will promote the well-being of children and young people. It is important that the model is developed and adapted to Greenlandic conditions and history.
Project period
2021-
Collaboration and funding
Qeqqata Muncipality
Karen Elise Jensens Fond