English River First Nation youth calls for more mental health resources in Sask.

A 16-year-old in a northern Saskatchewan First Nation makes hoodies that carry a simple but strong message in Dene syllabics – "stay." 

Earlier this year in English River First Nation, about 500 kilometres north of Saskatoon, a youth died by suicide. Zander Lariviere, a friend, wanted to do something for people dealing with mental health issues. 

"I really wanted to show them that they're not alone out there," he said.

So he designed and started selling hoodies, in an effort to bring awareness to mental health and youth suicides.

His mother Davine Lariviere said she thinks there's a lack of support in the community when it comes to dealing with mental health.

Zander agreed and said the community has a mental health worker, but they're only accessible during school hours and while there is some support available at the local health clinic, that service is limited. 

He said people need someone they can talk to, someone to be there for them when they're dealing with things, and someone showing them they're not alone in their lives.

"It's different from when I was growing up," said Davine.

"I lost a best friend to suicide, too. So there was a very lack of resources back then compared to what there is now. I wouldn't say there's a lot right now, but I would say that there's more than what I had growing up."

English River Chief Alfred Dawatsare was unavailable for an interview. 

When asked what he would ask of leaders of Saskatchewan's political parties heading into an election, Zander said more education about mental health starting at the elementary school level. 

"Youth need to know how to handle mental health issues as they grow up," he said. 

Zander said more awareness about the issues — at an earlier age — would go a long way in suicide prevention. 

He also called for more culturally sensitive mental health therapists who understand culture and traditions when working with Indigenous youth and more online supports for youth in remote areas. 

An NDP MLA tabled a bill requiring the province to create a strategy for suicide prevention that recognizes suicide as a public health issue in 2018 and 2019. It was voted down both times. In 2021, it was put forward for a third time and passed unanimously.

In 2020, the provincial government had created and launched a strategy for youth suicide prevention as part of its Pillars of Life suicide prevention plan.

When the legislation passed, the then-minister of mental health and addictions said it "solidifies what the Pillars of Life strategy was already doing," and the suicide prevention plan and the strategy would work together to address the issues.

In a statement, Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck said the party would provide support to youth, when and where they need it, should it be elected to lead Saskatchewan this fall.

"We will invest in health care, to open up more options for counselling, including rapid access counselling," said Beck in the statement. 

At a campaign event on Wednesday in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Party leader Scott Moe said governments need to work collaboratively — not only with Indigenous communities, but also among themselves — in order to address the issues. 

He pointed to a facility operated by Whitecap Dakota First Nation slated to open in 2026, which will offer virtual health care services to remote and rural communities in Saskatchewan, as a potential solution for residents in the province.  

"We're bringing innovation to that table and we're bringing a commitment from this government to keep investing in the people that live here and the services that they need," he said.