Sask. children's advocate concerned about 'increasingly violent' incidents involving kids

Saskatchewan's children's advocate said he is hearing about "increasingly violent" incidents involving children in the province.

Corey O'Soup made the comment in a CBC interview about a recent incident near La Ronge, Sask., in which two children were badly burned in what authorities described as an altercation with another child. Officials are still trying to sort out exactly what happened.

• 'It was very emotional': Relative says of seeing siblings who were set on fire near La Ronge, Sask.

"The stories that we are hearing particularly in the North, but also it is across the province as well ... about things happening with our children that are becoming increasingly violent," O'Soup said.

Without directly commenting on the La Ronge case, O'Soup played on a theme that has long been a priority for him: to bring down the barriers to mental health services.

• Child and youth advocate calls for better access to mental health care in remote communities

"You know, mental health isn't just an Indigenous issue. It doesn't matter how much money you make; it doesn't matter which side of the tracks you live on."

Relocate mental health workers, says O'Soup

One of the solutions O'Soup has been pushing for is to relocate mental health professionals from hard-to-reach offices to the schools where they are needed the most.

"I think it's something we can do that wouldn't cost a lot of money," he said.

At the same time, O'Soup said it may not be the right decision for all communities.

He said Saskatoon and Regina should take a back seat in trying to make mental health resources more accessible and, instead, rural and northern communities should take the lead.  

"I think we have to look there and find out exactly what the community needs and the piece that's missing there is the youth voice and exactly talking to them to see what they need."