Arviat

Researchers are evaluating how increasing the intake of traditional country foods affects mental health among Inuit men and women in Arviat, NU. The study aims to see if eating more of these foods helps reduce depression and anxiety, and whether participation in food-gathering and cultural activities improves mental well-being and cultural identity. It also explores how these effects last over time and whether delayed access to these foods still benefits mental health. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The immediate intervention group will receive weekly distributions of traditional country foods like caribou, seal, and Arctic char, along with Elder-led workshops on food preparation and cultural practices, and mental health supports for the first 30 days. The delayed intervention group will undergo baseline assessments for the first 30 days and then receive the same intervention during days 30 to 60. Throughout the 12-week study, participants will complete assessments including interviews, diaries, and mental health evaluations using tools like the PHQ-9 at multiple time points. Researchers will monitor cultural acceptability, participant satisfaction, and mental health impacts at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Secondary evaluations will assess the role of Elders, systemic barriers to accessing country foods, and the integration of Inuit Knowledge principles into clinical care. This study lasts for 12 weeks with follow-up data collected up to 24 weeks after enrollment.