By Nigel Maxwell

Teen suicide numbers not decreasing in Saskatchewan

Apr 2, 2018 | 8:00 AM

Youth suicides in Saskatchewan have not decreased significantly in several years, according to numbers obtained by paNOW.

Saskatchewan’s Provincial Coroner’s Office said there were 14 suicides last year among youths aged 12 to 18. There were 15 suicides in 2016 among the same age group and 13 in 2015. So far in 2018 there have been none officially recorded, though the coroner’s office said numbers for 2017 and 2018 would increase as there are ongoing investigations into multiple deaths. paNOW has identified at least two teen suicides in Northern Saskatchewan since January.

Jennifer Suchorab, manager of mental health outpatient services in Prince Albert for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said they have seen a higher number of youths assessed for suicide risks recently. Suchorab said the increase may have more to do with a change in their risk assessment than anything else, as a new framework for suicide protocols was rolled out in 2012 across Saskatchewan.

“Because there has been an increase in screening and assessment, we do have more people expressing that they are being identified for being at risk for suicide,” she said.

Suchorab said half of the patients who come through their doors are children and youth. While not all are related to suicide concerns, she said resources such as staff and infrastructure can be in high demand.

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“Could we benefit from greater resources? You bet,” she said.

The Saskatchewan NDP has been vocal in recent weeks with claims the provincial government is not doing enough to relieve the pressure on mental health services in the province.

Prince Albert Northcote NDP MLA Nicole Rancourt, who has a background in the mental health field, questioned what the provincial government has done with the $3.1 million in federal funding earmarked for mental health services.

“They can’t defer that money,” she said. “They need to start investing that right now before the wait times are so extreme and our suicides rates are growing.”

paNOW reached out to the Ministry of Health for comment. In an emailed statement, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said it is meeting its wait-time targets in both mental health and addiction outpatient services in most cases. Overall spending on mental health and addictions in the province has increased by 44 per cent since 2007-08.

The Ministry of Health also outlined several key suicide prevention initiatives the government are focusing on this year including $50,000 set aside to hire a suicide prevention coordinator in Meadow Lake.

Prince Albert and the northern region will benefit through several other planned projects, according to the ministry. Multi-disciplinary teams and peer supports to provide client-centred services will be established in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Yorkton, and Weyburn, at a cost of $640,000, the ministry said, and addictions medicine services will be enhanced in Prince Albert and the North with $140,000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, contact the 24-hour Prince Albert Mobile Crisis unit at (306) 764-1011. To search for a similar service in your area, click here.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell