Greenlandic organisation initiates psychological support for Greenlanders
As a result of the current situation, Greenlanders are in urgent need of psychological and mental health support. Uagut – the National Organization for Greenlanders in Denmark has initiated a coordinated effort.
Uagut is now leading a new joint initiative across Greenland and Denmark aimed at strengthening mental well-being, resilience, and a sense of security among both adults and children.
“We are seeing an acute need to support the mental health and safety of Greenlanders – both in Greenland and Denmark. It is only natural that civil society organizations join forces to ensure that the necessary support and assistance are available,” Julie Rademacher emphasizes.
The initiative is supported by a wide range of partners, including UNICEF Greenland, Save the Children Denmark, the Greenlandic Houses in Denmark, Headspace, the Greenlandic Children’s Association, as well as Greenlandic and Danish authorities.
Several of these actors are also involved in the coordination, with particular focus on Greenland’s six largest cities.
“We must protect Greenlanders’ mental well-being at a time when their sense of belonging and future are being challenged. It is also essential that all support and information are accessible in both Greenlandic and Danish languages, so that everyone feels seen and heard.”
The organizations behind the initiative recommend launching a national response as soon as possible through two parallel tracks: an immediate crisis response and a long-term preparedness effort.
The immediate response focuses on strengthening social support and providing spaces for dialogue. This includes mapping and communicating existing crisis support services in both Greenlandic and Danish, organizing community dinners and events in collaboration with the Greenlandic Houses, and involving Greenlandic priests and volunteer networks to offer conversation-based and spiritual support.
The long-term preparedness effort aims to establish a cross-border social and cultural emergency network across Greenland and Denmark. It will also involve producing and distributing written and digital information materials in both languages, including short films and awareness content for social media and national media. In addition, volunteer-based support networks for Greenlanders will be established and organized locally.
A number of key actors have already expressed their commitment to supporting the initiative.
Participants in Greenland include public authorities, the Greenlandic Children’s Association in Greenland, UNICEF Greenland, and Folk & Sikkerhed.
In Denmark, participants include public authorities, Headspace, Save the Children Denmark, the Greenlandic Children’s Association in Denmark, the Greenlandic Houses, and the Greenlandic priest in Denmark.
Information materials produced in both Greenlandic and Danish will be made publicly available at www.uagut.dk and distributed widely.
The initiative is also intended to expand into a broader campaign, for which further funding will be mobilized.
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