The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to addressing the rates of suicide in the province. Pillars for Life: The Saskatchewan Suicide Prevention Plan was created to guide suicide prevention initiatives and activities specific to the cultural and social landscape of Saskatchewan.
The Pillars for Life plan aligns with Saskatchewan's Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions and is an important step forward in reducing the province's suicide rates and in building strength, resilience and hope in Saskatchewan people.
Background
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) developed Roots of Hope, a community-based suicide prevention model. Roots of Hope provides a framework and structure for communities to tailor suicide prevention activities and link these activities to community needs and strengths. The actions outlined in Pillars for Life: The Saskatchewan Suicide Prevention Plan are grounded in the five pillar approach developed by the MHCC.
Mental Health Commission of Canada's La Ronge Spotlight
The five pillars of the Saskatchewan Pillars for Life plan include:
- Specialized supports;
- Training
- Awareness
- Means restriction and means safety
- Research, surveillance and evaluation
The Government of Saskatchewan is dedicated to supporting actions under each pillar. Highlights include:
Specialized Supports
- Community of Practice – Canadian Mental Health Association-Saskatchewan Division is operating a community of practice network to support suicide prevention. For more information, visit CMHA Saskatchewan Division.
- Land based camps – The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) has developed and delivered camps for youth.
- Rapid Access Counselling for Those Impacted by Suicide Loss – Free rapid access counselling provided by Family Service Saskatchewan for anyone who has been impacted by suicide loss. In-person services are available in Regina, Saskatoon, Humboldt, and Prince Albert. The service can be accessed from anywhere in the province virtually or by telephone. Visit Family Service Saskatchewan’s website to book an appointment or to find suicide loss resources.
Training
- Mindset media training – The Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma have hosted virtual sessions pertaining to the Mindset: Reporting on Mental Health guide. This guide was created by the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma, and is about sensitive and responsible reporting pertaining to suicide and mental health. For more information, visit Mindset: Reporting on Mental Health.
- Suicide prevention trainings – LivingWorks provides evidence-based suicide prevention training for individuals and organizations. For more information, visit LivingWorks.
Awareness
- Public awareness campaign – This has been targeted to males ages in labour industries/rural areas/and farming communities; and Indigenous males and females.
- Suicide prevention framework and prevention, intervention and postvention toolkit – For more information, visit Suicide prevention - University of Saskatchewan. This toolkit is available at post-secondary institutions across the province.
- Saskatchewan Life Promotion Toolkit for Youth – The Mental Health Commission of Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatchewan Division, and with the support of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, developed a suicide prevention toolkit to reach youth and for people who support youth in Saskatchewan. This toolkit was designed by Saskatchewan youth for youth, and youth/allies informed its development. Within this resource, youth can learn about: who can help if they are thinking of suicide, language they can use to ask for help, and coping strategies. People who support youth can learn about: what is suicide and its risk factors, warning signs that someone might be thinking about suicide, and safety planning.
Means Restriction and Means Safety
- Safe Medication Disposal Initiative – The Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan launched this program in 2022-23.
- Saskatchewan Health Authority suicide protocol revamp – As a key priority, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has worked to improve their standard for assessing and treating individuals with suicidal ideation. A core new element includes evidenced-based training for Mental Health and Addictions staff, which has a focus on means safety planning.
Research, Surveillance and Evaluation
- Reporting on progress and activities – To align with An Act respecting a Provincial Strategy for Suicide Prevention, the Ministry of Health includes this information in its annual report.