Another small First Nations community in Northern Saskatchewan is reeling after a young girl died of suicide.
The 10-year-old girl’s death in Deschambault Lake, about 500 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, marks the latest suicide in the region. Three other girls between the ages of 12 and 14 were buried in nearby communities last week.
Their suicides have forced a spotlight on the desperate need for better mental health services in the northern communities.
“My fear is that it will snowball, it will continue. And we want to stop that as quickly as we can,” Peter Beatty, chief of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, told CTV Regina on Wednesday. First Nations officials reported numerous suicides attempts in the last week and said more than 20 youth are at risk.
The Liberals said the suicide crisis is a top priority. Federal and provincial governments have sent in more mental health teams to and set up youth centres that are open 24 hours a day. In Saskatchewan, there are currently four mental health teams in place with potential funding for four additional teams.
In addition to supports on the ground, Health Canada launched the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line to provide crisis intervention 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310. It's available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
Other groups have started the We Matter campaign, which offers positive messages across various social media platforms for indigenous youth.
The campaign features videos from artists like A Tribe Called Red and writer Joseph Boyden.
Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott said each of these services is a step towards addressing a “problem that has deep roots.” She added she will be reviewing the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Liberal government will work with First Nations to prevent the loss of lives.
“We continue to be committed to working with indigenous communities across the country to deal with this ever-occurring tragedy,” he told reporters in Ottawa Wednesday.
With files from CTV Regina and the Canadian Press
