The NDP have tabled a bill, which would create a suicide prevention strategy for the province.
Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette says “I have been to way too many funerals for people in my communities who felt they had nowhere to turn. Suicide is a serious problem in Saskatchewan, and something needs to be done,” said Vermette.
The NDP referenced an FSIN report “the rates of suicide among First Nations are more than four times higher the rest of the province, and for First Nations girls, the rates are more than 29 times higher than the rest of the province. Saskatchewan’s suicide rate as a whole is among the highest in the country, with 1,895 people having committed suicide between 2005 and 2017 and yearly numbers trending upward.”
The bill would mandate the Saskatchewan Health Authority to develop a strategy that recognizes suicide in addition to being a mental health issue is a public health and safety issue.
The Health Authority would also have to undertake consultations with relevant groups within 180 days of the Act coming into force.
Rural Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit says suicide is a very serious issue as his government is in the process of implementing the recommendations of the mental health and addictions action plan.
“42 of the 46 recommendations are either enacted or are in the process of being acted upon, [with] a lot of them dealing with suicide and suicide prevention,” stated Ottenbreit.
Six Indigenous girls committed suicide in northern Saskatchewan in October 2016.