Some families from Northern Saskatchewan who have lost loved ones to suicide attended the Saskatchewan Legislature today (Tues) as NDP Critic for Northern Affairs , Doyle Vermette, introduced Bill 618, the Saskatchewan Strategy for Suicide Prevention Act. The message from the families was the need for more involvement with the government to plan and implement suicide awareness and prevention.

Opposition Deputy Leader Nicole Sarauer says between 2005 and 2019, more than 22-hundred people in Saskatchewan died by suicide. She says the Bill would require the Saskatchewan Health Authority to start consultations and report back on progress made.

Health Minister Jim Reiter replied that he recognizes the seriousness of the issue and has asked the Ministry to look at other provinces with suicide prevention strategies and check to see if there are any gaps in Saskatchewan’s Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan. (CKRM)