Sask. NDP pledges free mental health services for youth
Saskatchewan’s NDP leader said mental health care is health care, and it’s time it was treated that way.
Cam Broten launched his party’s election platform on mental health at a playground in south Regina on Tuesday morning. He explained the location represents a key part of the plan, which will focus on providing free access to mental health counselling services for children and youth.
“If we can address concerns for young people early on, we give them the best chance of being on the right track to do well,” he said. “We can also actually save dollars in the long run by preventing the crisis, by preventing the emergency.”
Broten said providing insured health coverage for up to eight counselling appointments per year for youth will help make Saskatchewan a leader in mental health care in Canada. The cost is estimated at $26.6 million over four years.