Saskatchewan First Nations Group suicide prevention plan calls for more mental health care and screening

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations’ (FSIN) suicide prevention strategy draws on previous efforts from Quebec, Nunavut and U.S. Indigenous communities that have shown promising results. It emphasizes community-based prevention through grants to fund locally developed projects. It suggests the development of programs based on traditional activities and calls for elders to be engaged to share traditional teachings relevant to each First Nation. It also calls for heavy investment of resources in early childhood development and parental support, as well as in helping children be more resilient. The plan also suggests economic development and programs to address family violence are key, along with better screening of and follow-up care with those at risk of suicide. The FSIN expects to ask federal and provincial governments to fund its new strategy.