Concerned residents want action taken with northern Sask. suicides

At the initial meeting last week, common themes that came up were addictions-based issues, culture and language, the need for active recreation for youth, and culturally appropriate mental health services other than talk-based therapies. There were various members of the community represented, including medical staff.

Toulejour said things at a breaking point, saying meetings can only go so far and action must be taken.

“We need something done. We need a concrete plan, more services, more support, [and to] come up with something to meet the needs of people in the north,” she said. “If [these leaders] don’t see the need for a state of emergency now, how many more people have to die? When you have doctors that are meeting because they’re concerned because of the number of attempts, it’s serious.”

Tracy Catarat is a primary care nurse at Buffalo River Dene Nation near Dillon. She attended the meeting last week. She said there is a definite concern among medical professionals in the northern region of the province.

“All these communities are going through the same thing with an increase of the attempts…and we’ve had a few successful ones,” she said. “We’re trying to figure out a prevention plan, because we’re all from the North, we’re all pretty well dealing with the same health determinants, struggles. We’re trying to brainstorm our ideas, that’s what I got from the meeting.”

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ReporterKath

by Kathy Gallant

Concerned residents want action taken with northern Sask. suicides

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