Researcher in appeal to Greenland: ”Ask if you suspect suicidal thoughts”

In this video, Arnârak Patricia Bloch, a researcher in suicide prevention at the University of Southern Denmark, speaks directly to those who have firsthand experience with the problem.

By Ole Ellekrog

“There are many of us in Greenland who have lost someone to suicide or who have had suicidal thoughts,” says researcher Arnârak Patricia Bloch while sitting on a bench in sunny South Greenland.

Even though she lives in Norway and works for a Danish university, she is passionate about preventing suicide in Greenland. She was born and raised in Qaqortoq in South Greenland, where the population, like in the rest of the country, is affected by high suicide rates.

“There are many of us in Greenland who have lost someone to suicide or who have had suicidal thoughts,” Arnârak Patricia Bloch

We must stand together against suicide

In addition to her work as an actress, she is currently involved in a large nationwide research project. The project, which she is conducting at the University of Southern Denmark’s Center for Public Health in Greenland, aims to train mentors throughout Greenland who can help prevent suicide, even in the country’s smallest settlements.

In this video, she shares the knowledge she has gained from researching suicide prevention. Did you know, for instance, that the most effective way to combat suicide is to have entire cities and communities come together to address the problem, rather than leaving it solely to the hospitals?

Therefore, Arnârak’s message to Greenland is clear: We must stand together against suicide. Watch more in the video above.