In the days before his death, a man dealing with addiction and mental illness was asked if he would give up his bed at the Dube Centre for someone in greater need.
That’s what Steven Wilcox told his parents.
His mother, Carey Rigby-Wilcox would like an inquest not only into his final days but into all of the struggles he had looking for support in the mental healthcare system.
Steven’s first suicide attempt was in August of 2018.
He attempted many times between then and when he died by suicide by cop in December of that year.
The first time he attempted suicide he was taken to the Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford.
He answered in a questionnaire that if he had a gun, he would kill himself because he doesn’t deserve to live.
Rigby-Wilcox says 45 minutes later he was released.
She says they didn’t know how to find support for Steven or for themselves.
She would like more funding, resources, training, access, and more strategies in place for physicians and families.

Provincial opposition leader, Ryan Meili, says people who are facing mental health issues are continuing to fall through the cracks.
The NDP is promising a full review of the mental health care system, if elected and would establish dedicated mental health and addictions emergency rooms, which would take the pressure of regulr emergency departments and would make sure patients are seen by a specialized healthcare team.

Health minister Jim Reiter acknowledge the challenges and says more help is coming in the provincial budget to be handed down next Wednesday.