Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 16, 2024 for the new 24HR Youth Help Line. It was attended by the mayor of North Battleford, Kelli Hawtin, city councillors Dennis Mercer and Bill Ironstand, Elder Bernadette, and Senator Jenny Spyglass. (photo/ BATC Facebook)

By Kenneth Cheung

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‘A listening ear’: BATC launches 24-hour helpline to support mental health

Dec 19, 2024 | 11:15 AM

Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC) launched a new 24-hour helpline on Monday to provide anyone who is struggling mentally and needs a safe place to talk.

“If we save one life or help one child move forward with something, that’s a win,” said Leslie Ann Smith, director of health and nursing services at BATC.

Noting the suicide frequency has gone up among the younger generation in surrounding First Nations and the community, Smith said it made them realize that “our kids are struggling.”

According to the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth (SACY), in 2023, there was a growing tendency in suicide attempts, with more than three times as many being reported as in previous years.

To put it into numbers, the Government of Canada noted that approximately 4,500 people die by suicide each year across the nation, which averages out to around 12 people a day.

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Understanding this pressing reality won’t be resolved anytime soon, Smith hopes offering an extra set of listening ears for those who need to express their negative feelings could be the needed support to prevent people from succumbing to suicidal thoughts.

The SACY report also reveals that children’s and youth’s ongoing untreated mental health issues are contributing to an increase in suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts.

To provide comprehensive support, she pointed out that the team will ensure clients have moved on and achieved a healthy mindset. If any signs of self-harm arise, they will refer clients to mental health organizations in the First Nations and the City.

“We will make sure that a referral is done on the other end if that’s what this individual needs and wants, so it’s going to be immediate, and it’ll have some follow-up to it as well,” she said.

“Our goal is immediate safety.”

(photo/ BATC Facebook)

As some would say, “Kids these days are so soft,” Smith argues that people should ask themselves, “What is happening?”

“We’re not with them when they have the pressures at school. We don’t know what it’s like to be cut from a sports team; sometimes, they just don’t want to vent,” she said.

“Even as adults, we just need to vent and get something off our chests to feel better.”

Looking ahead, Smith hopes that creating this safe space will encourage people to embrace their feelings, even when it seems like no one wants to listen. The BATC helpline is always there for those who need support, she said.

She also noted that although it is called the “24 HR Youth Help Line,” it is a resource available to everyone, regardless of age.

“If we’re the number they dial, then we’re going to help them.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com