The Saskatchewan NDP are calling on the Moe government to stop standing in the way of a province-wide suicide prevention strategy, and act to ensure that people struggling with mental health and addictions challenges get the help they need.
“The suicide rate in Saskatchewan is among the worst in the country, and continues to rise,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “That is why we’re calling on the provincial government to put real support into a suicide prevention strategy. Too many lives have been lost.”
NDP Critic for Northern Saskatchewan Doyle Vermette had tabled Bill No. 613 — The Saskatchewan Strategy for Suicide Prevention Act, 2018, but the Sask. Party refused to pass the bill, leaving Saskatchewan as the only jurisdiction in Canada without legislation in place on suicide prevention. It is an issue Meili says his party will continue to push when the fall session begins in a few weeks.
“Right now, people are hurting and looking for leadership.”Meili said. “We again call on this government to stop letting Saskatchewan people down.”
In an e-mail from the government, they state that they have produced and endorsed the 10-year Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan, which outlined a number of items critical to suicide prevention efforts.
This action plan continues to guide our Government’s investments and has led to funding for initiatives such as:
o Roots of Hope,
o Mental Health First Aid trainers,
o Provincial Suicide Prevention Protocols,
o Kids Help Phone,
o Police and Crisis Teams,
o Mobile Crisis, and
o Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools.
The e-mail adds that those in need are encouraged to call HealthLine 811, Kids Help Phone or the Mobile Crisis lines in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. All of these helplines provide counselling, support, information and referral services.
