COVID mismanagement strains already insufficient mental health and addictions supports

REGINA - Today, Lac La Ronge Indian Band Councillor Devin Bernatchez joined the Official Opposition at the Legislature to call attention to how the COVID-19 pandemic is making Saskatchewan’s ongoing suicide, mental health, and addictions crises worse.

“I would like to invite the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions to come to the North and visit Sucker River to see with his own eyes the challenges and struggles that people in my community are facing,” Bernatchez offered. “Losing my cousin 5 weeks ago to suicide was yet another painful reminder for our communities of the tragic losses that are compounded by the shortage of mental health and addictions resources, particularly in Northern Saskatchewan.”

Across the province, people grappling with mental health and addictions issues were struggling to access the care they needed pre-pandemic. In the aftermath of a disastrous fourth wave, Saskatchewan’s health care system has now been pushed to the brink and the scarcity of resources for those dealing with mental health and addictions issues is even more apparent.

“Since finally passing our suicide prevention bill in April on the third try, the Sask. Party government has made no progress addressing the ongoing suicide crisis,” stated Doyle Vermette, Official Opposition Mental Health and Addictions Critic. “This government’s woeful handling of the fourth wave has further strained the already insufficient mental health care resources that were in place pre-pandemic.”

Vermette’s suicide prevention private member’s bill called for the government to have begun consultations by October to craft a suicide prevention plan. Mental health and addictions issues were not being adequately countered before COVID-19, but the challenges brought on by the government’s failure to contain the pandemic has worsened an already critical situation.

-30-

For more information please contact:

Brock Bowman

306-519-9549

Latest posts

SASK. PARTY REFUSES TO PASS MORE THAN 20 BILLS FROM CARLA BECK’S TEAM THAT WOULD MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE, FIX HEALTHCARE & MORE

Scott Moe Continues To Downplay Cost-Of-Living Crisis As Saskatchewan People Report Highest Financial Anxiety In Canada
REGINA – As the Spring Session comes to an end, Scott Moe and the Sask. Party are refusing to pass more than 20 bills from Carla Beck’s team that would make life more affordable, bring needed changes to healthcare and so much more.

RURAL COMMUNITIES WARN HUNDREDS OF CHILDCARE SPACES COULD BE LOST UNDER SCOTT MOE’S CHILDCARE AGREEMENT

Sask. NDP Join Childcare Operators and Municipal Leaders Calling For Immediate Pause And Review As Funding Shortfalls Threaten Closures
REGINA — Carla Beck’s team alongside municipal leaders and childcare operators is calling on the Sask. Party government to go back to the drawing board on their failing childcare funding model which they say puts hundreds of critical childcare spaces at risk – particularly in rural communities already struggling with limited access.

FIRE JEREMY HARRISON, TOSS THE CATASTROPHIC COAL PLAN IN THE TRASH AND START ALL OVER: BECK

Saskatchewan People Can’t Afford $26 Billion Disaster That Will Drown Them In Debt And Double Rate Hikes
REGINA — Carla Beck is calling on Scott Moe to fire his out of control SaskPower Minister, toss the catastrophic, $26-billion coal plan in the trash and go back to the drawing board.

CARLA BECK'S TEAM INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO FORCE MOE GOVERNMENT TO DISCLOSE ALL PRIVATE HEALTHCARE CONTRACTS

Taxpayers Deserve To Know Whose Making Money Delivering Healthcare In Crumbling System
REGINA - As the Scott Moe government increasingly funnels record amounts of public money into for-profit healthcare, Carla Beck’s team is introducing legislation to ensure taxpayers aren’t being ripped off.