The Meadow Lake RCMP and mental health services are noticing more calls for support during the holidays. (Elliott Knopp/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Holiday Season Health

RCMP, mental health services experiencing increased demand during holidays

Dec 22, 2021 | 5:00 AM

As the holidays approach, some in the community are struggling with the added pressure of the season. As a result, mental health services and police in Meadow Lake have received an increase in calls for support throughout December.

In a statement to meadowlakeNOW, James Winkel with the Saskatchewan Health Authority said the health-care system in northwest Saskatchewan is experiencing a slight increase in calls for adult counseling.

Up approximately seven per cent from last year, the calls are typically mild to moderate in severity.

“Despite high volumes, staff make every effort to manage all requests as soon as possible, and at times, are able to schedule appointments sooner if demand is lower or resources are available,” he stated.

Winkel explained all requests in Meadow Lake and surrounding area are channeled through a centralized intake process, and are assessed as either very severe, severe, moderate or mild in nature.

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Depending on the severity, each of the levels has a pre-established and defined timeline in which a client shall be seen for a first appointment.

While more severe cases are prioritized, less urgent cases could experience delays which may require those seeking assistance to wait until the new year before seeing a counsellor.

Meadow Lake RCMP Commander Ryan How stated the detachment has also observed higher call volumes for mental health cases throughout the season, adding it’s a trend that occurs every year.

To help meet the demand, the Saskatchewan RCMP has implemented additional measures to help ensure public safety.

“RCMP members are receiving more and more training to help safely deal with someone suffering from an acute mental health crisis, but the identifying and fixing underlying reasons for the crisis are not the role of the police,” he said.

“The RCMP can engage and refer people to proper mental health and addiction services, but the sustained effort needs to come from the family and care providers.”

Mental health nurses have also been added to the Divisional Communications Centre to assist front line members with handling these cases.

If you or anyone you know in the Meadow Lake area is in need of help, please contact Intake at the Meadow Lake Hospital by phone during regular business hours at 306-236-1580.

For after-hours urgent or emergent services, please call the Healthline at 811 or visit your local Emergency Department.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp