‘Fear … anxiety, anger’: Sask. evacuees look for mental health support

WATCH: As some residents have been forced from their homes for nearly two weeks now, the upheaval is taking a toll on their mental health.

Some evacuees have been displaced from their homes for nearly two weeks now, with no end in sight for Saskatchewan’s wildfires.

There’s a need for mental health support for those dealing with the upheaval, and several groups and agencies are stepping up to help.

Pelican Narrows dad Vernon Charles has been staying at the Heritage Inn in Saskatoon with his two-year-old son for nearly two weeks.

“It’s been so hard, because he’s been running around all the time and I’ve just been just keeping him in a stroller so he wouldn’t run out,” Charles told CTV News.

Another evacuee at the same hotel, who’s from Hall Lake, has been here about ten days. Three days ago, he got the devastating news that his house was destroyed by fire.

“I don’t even know what’s going to happen. I’m still here, I don’t know what I’m going back to,” said Ryan Ven.

With thousands of evacuees across the province, each with their own story of struggle, groups like Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) have been providing counselling at various locations.

“There’s a lot of fear, a lot of anxiety, anger,” says Marlene Mirasty, a registered mental health nurse hired by PBCN.

Mirasty operated out of the Quality Inn in Saskatoon for five days last week and saw hundreds of people. Many, she says, were already dealing with mental health issues before being displaced.

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“So, some of those mental health issues are exacerbated by these traumatic events of the wildfires,” she said.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) tells CTV News it’s focused on supporting evacuees through this unprecedented natural disaster, and providing support to those leading the evacuation efforts.

The SHA says it’s actively deploying team members to sites where evacuees are being cared for to provide onsite support for those seeking the physical and mental care.

The Métis Nation and Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) also have their own initiatives.

“This is mentally hard on them because they’re potentially losing everything, and for us it’s like, it’s a start over financially. It’s a big burden on their mental health,” STC Chief Mark Arcand, said.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency SPSA commends all those pitching in to help.

“It really is great to see, the willingness to step forward and help individuals as they’re going through an extremely stressful and traumatic time, during these evacuations,” said Marlo Pritchard, SPSA president.

Support contact information is available on the SPSA website.

With over 10,000 people now displaced in the province and no end in sight, the help is much needed.