December 2009

A media release on the recent emergency communications training held in Prince Albert can be downloaded here.

June 2009

The Mental Health & Addictions Suicide Prevention Forum

Held June 11 & 12, 2009, Prince Albert, SK

While north Saskatchewan experiences particular challenges pertaining to mental health & addictions, recent increases in youth suicides has sparked additional energy toward strengthening community resilience, networks, services and approaches.  Remote locations of many communities often impede the sharing and unity required to identify and act on the possibility of a northern approach to whole wellness.  This forum sought to establish the inspiration of unity for a healthier north.

Goals:
To increase awareness of the causes and of the current community practices in response to suicides in northern Saskatchewan and other areas

To stimulate creative ideas toward a northern strategy for suicide prevention, intervention and post-intervention approaches

Almost 200 people attended the forum, providing a good mixture of elders, leaders, community workers, parents and youth.  Facilitated as a large-scale workshop, participants heard from a sample of existing northern initiatives, then effectively generated ideas to fill service gaps and work together toward effective suicide response and prevention.

Three conclusions came from the event.  The first was a declaration of commitment to action from each participant.  The second was a development of a framework for action plans.  The third was a creation of a working group that would continue to meet and ensure progress on the actions.  More than 150 people signed up to be a part of that working group.

Members of the NHS Mental Health TAC members are a part of the Northern Suicide prevention working group and supports the development of a Northern Saskatchewan strategy for the prevention of suicides.