The Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth released its 2023 annual report on Wednesday, highlighting the challenges faced by children and youth in the province.
According to the report, the volume of investigative files received by the Saskatchewan Advocate’s office over the past year confirms that children and youth continue to suffer from unresolved mental health issues, resulting in a concerning increase in suicide attempts and thoughts.
“Mental health, especially anxiety and depression, that young people are dealing with is also something we continue to see,” said Lisa Broda, Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth. “One of the biggest things we notice in particular…is suicide attempts and death by suicide.”
According to the report, the office of the Saskatchewan Advocate saw a marked increase in suicide attempts in 2023, with more than three times as many reported as in previous years.
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“Our office was made aware of a further 48 suicide attempts and 39 sexual abuse cases by children and young people in care,” the report said.
Broda said the solution to unaddressed mental health care is to ensure there are enough resources for young people to access.
“We have made 14 recommendations to systematically address the service gaps we have identified,” she said. “One of our recommendations was having counselors in schools, expanding the reach and just working together to address the gaps in services.”
On Wednesday, Saskatchewan Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said it is “very concerning” that suicide attempts have tripled among children in custody.
“We were able to come up with recommendations from the Youth Advisory Committee, which advises and works with young adults who have experienced the system,” Makowsky said. “They have come up with several recommendations that the ministry has acted on… There has been an operational oversight unit for group homes. Three group homes for mental health care have been funded. One currently provides services in Saskatoon, in Regina and Prince Albert along the way.”
Saskatchewan NDP housing and social services critic Meara Conway said they have been raising alarms about the province’s prevailing youth suicide rates for some time.
“Mr. (Doyle) Vermette introduced his bill three times. This Sask we have finally seen. The parties voted in favor of that bill, but they have taken no substantive action on this issue,” said Conway. “It is very sad to see this figures, but we are not surprised. We knew this was coming. And we know this is a crisis. We expect more from this government in this area.”
The full report can be read on the website Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth website.
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