An Egadz group home is being converted to take in Saskatoon youth considered most likely to harm themselves. The youth outreach organization has received funding from the province, Saskatchewan Health Authority and Medavie Health Services for the project. Egadz Executive Director Don Meikle says five youth will be looked after by two staff members aimed at encouraging discussion about their mental health issues. Meikle says youth are becoming more forthcoming and asking for help but points out many will still act first and talk later. He refers to the 323 critical incidents including over 100 involving self-harm or suicide related events in the year ending August 31st as the reason for the home suggested by a member of their youth committee. The plan also includes a mobile van with a therapy dog. Meikle says youth often don’t engage during therapy sessions and hopes this will be a more comfortable setting for those young people to open up. The provincial government has promised $116-thousand for the initiative while the health authority has committed $100-thousand each year for new staff. Medavie handed over a cheque for $25-thousand. It’s expected the house will be ready in October.