Inuit recount the positive benefits of encouraging optimism during periods of grief and long-term depressive states. As Piita Irniq, Elder and Healing Advisor noted:

• Find some positives in your life, even when things are going badly
• Changing negative thoughts to more positive ones
• Seeing rejection or failure as a learning experience
• Finding some humour when things go wrong
• Focusing on ways of having a more positive future rather than thinking of the bad things in the past
• Understanding that bad times will pass

---

Healing through language

Ajurnaqmat is a very healing word, used by Inuit since time immemorial

When someone dies, people say Ajurnaqmat because it contains in this context:

• Sadness
• Grief
• Cry
• Love
• Compassion
• Care
• Respect

for those who have lost a loved one, relative or friend.