Preventing the ‘suicide crisis’ in Northern Sask. comes with challenges
Isolation is the root cause of mental health issues in the region, according to mental health workers in northern Saskatchewan First Nations and Metis communities.
The challenges in communities such as Fond-du-Lac or Black Lake are not unlike those in Attawapiskat, Jennifer Conley, CEO of the Athabasca Health Authority said. While Conley didn’t feel the situation in her region is as grave as the northern Ontario First Nation which recently declared a state of emergency, she said outreach workers are still dealing with what has been deemed a “suicide crisis.”
Conley said isolation is responsible for everything from a lack of hope among youth to increased addiction rates, mentally exhausted staff and decreased programming opportunities.
“We have real funding limitations that (results in) less than 100 per cent coverage of mental health services,” she said.