'It's their cry for help': Hopes high as Sask. child advocate releases youth suicide prevention report

A highly anticipated report is expected to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan by the province's advocate for children and youth on Tuesday afternoon about how to prevent youth suicide.

The office of Corey O'Soup, the province's first Indigenous child and youth advocate, spent the past year interviewingyoung people from 12 northern communities about the root causes of suicide and possible solutionsafter six girls between the ages of 11 and 14 took their own lives in October 2016.

Chief TammyCook-Searsonof Lac LaRongeIndian Band, whorepresents six northern Saskatchewan communities, welcomes the findings.

"It's something that we've always talked about and something that we've always wanted,"Cook-Searsonsaid.

"We're really grateful."

Calls for more youth activities, support

O'Soup's report ispredicted to include a number of recommendations for the federal and provincial governments.

"He [O'Soup] came out with something that hopefully will benefit all of us," saidLaRonge Mayor RonWoytowich, who has temporarily stepped away from his duties for medical reasons.

"It's whether or not the government has the funds."

The federal government has already cut back on its share to the community'sKikinahkFriendship Centre, where Woytowich estimatesupto 80 young people gather each evening.

Youth co-ordinator RoryBallantyne said the centre has had to reduce its programming, including traditional hunting.

"It's crazy considering Ilive in the north," Ballantynesaid.

"That could be an outlet for some kid."

More is needed toimprove youth mental health, according to Woytowich, including more activities, housing and mental health support.

'We have to do something'

"These kids at a certain age don't see a future," Woytowich said.

"They don't understand that it can be better."

It is difficult for young people to express their concerns unless they have built a rapport with someone, Cook-Searsonexplained.

She is calling for the provincial and federal governments to implementconsistent mental health treatment, and to act on the findings outlined by youth in O'Soup's report.

"It's their cry for help," Cook-Searsonsaid.

"We can't ignore it. We have to do something and we have to do it today."

If you need help, 24-hour support is offered seven days a week on theKids Help Phone at1-800-668-6868, the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310, and the811 Access HealthLine at 811 or 1-877-800-0002.

The Prince Albert mobile crisis line can be accessed at 306-764-1011 from 4 p.m. until 8 a.m., and runs 24 hours on weekends and statutory holidays.