Therapists helping northern Sask. communities after three suicides

LAC LA RONGE, Sask. -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the tragedy of young people taking their lives has to stop following the suicides of three girls in northern Saskatchewan.

Two girls from Stanley Mission took their own lives last week and a third girl from La Ronge died in recent days.

The communities are part of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and Chief Tammy Cook-Searson says everyone is on edge right now.

Cook-Searson says there have also been nine suicide attempts in the past week and that more than 20 youths are considered at risk.

Health Canada says in a statement that it has been in touch with the chief and others in Stanley Mission about providing mental health therapists.

The department says that based on an assessment, it will help fund costs for three mental health therapists to provide counselling to at-risk youth until the end of December.

-- with files from MBC