FSIN says youth suicides tied to loss of spirit
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) believes there immediately needs to be a culturally responsive action plan to curb the recent spate of suicides.
The FSIN executive responding to the declared state of emergency on the Attawapiskat First Nation,
“We need all levels of government talking and planning about what we need to do immediately, short-term and long-term,” FSIN vice-chief Bob Merasty said. “A holistic approach would better serve the needs of both on and off reserve First Nations.”
Merasty said the FSIN is currently engaged with several different organizations, such as the Northern Health Services Division and the Transformational Research in Adolescent Mental Health initiative, working towards a solution to the suicide crisis facing First Nations communities.