SHA Executive Director, Acute Care John Ash (left) and CEO Scott Livingstone (right) offer a public apology to the family of Samwel Uko on July 23, 2020. (Libby Giesbrecht/980 CJME)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Mental Health Care

P.A. MLA joins leader in calls for changes to health system

Jul 26, 2020 | 10:00 AM

Prince Albert Northcote MLA Nicole Rancourt is joining her party leader in calling for changes to the province’s mental health system.

Friday NDP leader Ryan Meili called for Saskatchewan to create emergency rooms to specifically help people dealing with mental and addiction issues.

Rancourt, who serves as the opposition critic for social services, said she has heard about people in Prince Albert having issues accessing mental health services.

“I hear all the time about how individuals are turned away or they leave the emergency room right here in Prince Albert because the wait times for services is extreme,” she said.

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Rancourt said the people working in emergency rooms are doing the best they can under the conditions to help people dealing with mental health issues but added many are not trained to do so. She explained forcing people who are dealing these issues to wait for long periods makes it harder for them.

“When you’re in acute mental health distress, waiting in the ER for hours is an eternity,” she said.

The P.A. Northcote MLA also called on the government to pass Bill 618, which would lead to the creation of a provincial suicide strategy. Rancourt said in crafting policies to deal with these issues it is important for local voices to be at the table.

“Mental health is definitely an issue in Prince Albert and some of the issues that we may have here could possibly be different than other communities,” she said.

Regina family responds to SHA

The issue of mental health and suicide prevention has become a topic of discussion after the death of Samwel Uko in Regina. Uko died after trying to seek help for mental health issues twice at a hospital.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), recently issued an apology to Uko’s family for failing to help him.

“Samwel was a vibrant young man who sought help from us and we failed to provide him the timely assistance he needed. There are no words that can bring Samwel back, but I do want the public to know that we recognize how deeply we failed him,” said SHA CEO Scott Livingston.

Due to Uko’s death, the SHA has vowed to improve its registration and triage processes. They also plan to adapt their COVID-19 screening and visitation protocols. The organization has also promised to improve its information-sharing processes with partner organizations, among other promises.

Uko’s uncle Justin Nyee said it is good the SHA is taking responsibility for what happened but said they want to see more done. The family has made their own recommendations, which includes working to improve cultural sensitivity of the workforce.

“What they did to him was wrong on every level — a professional level and a human level. It was not something that should have happened,” said Nyee.

With files from 650 CKOM/980 CJME

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn