YORKTON, Sask. — With suicide rates in Saskatchewan continuing to exceed the national average, mental health advocates and front-line workers say prevention efforts must start long before a person reaches a crisis point.
According to Saskatchewan Health Authority community co-ordinators with the Roots of Hope initiative, suicide remains a significant public health concern across the province, particularly among men, rural residents and those working in agriculture.
"Last time I looked, we were second in the country," said Anne Duriez, Roots of Hope co-ordinator for Meadow Lake. She pointed to data from Saskatchewan's coroner's report showing the provincial suicide rate rose from about 13 deaths per 100,000 people to approximately 18 per 100,000 between 2018 and 2021.
By comparison, Canada's suicide rate sits at roughly 11 per 100,000 people, while rates in northern Saskatchewan are estimated to be two to three times higher than the national average.
One of the province's highest-risk sectors is agriculture, a finding that often surprises people, Duriez said.
"There are so many things that are not controllable, whether it's weather, prices, tariffs or other economic pressures," she said. "There's also rural isolation and often not a clear disconnect between work and family life."
She noted that farming families may face unique stressors, including financial uncertainty, generational expectations and limited access to supports. Access to firearms and farm chemicals can also increase risk when someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts.
While statistics identify higher-risk populations, Duriez and fellow Roots of Hope co-ordinator for the Battlefords, Dallas Odgers, say prevention efforts are increasingly focusing on strengthening community connections before a crisis develops.
"The best suicide prevention plan is a life worth living," Duriez said. "If we can prevent somebody from ever thinking about suicide, that's true prevention."
Roots of Hope is a community-based suicide prevention model originally launched by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The Meadow Lake area was one of the original sites, and the program has since expanded to additional Saskatchewan communities, including Prince Albert and the Battlefords.
A key message of the initiative is that suicide prevention is not solely the responsibility of mental health professionals.
"We recognize that people are going to show up in a crisis far down the road of their mental health declining," Odgers said. "We're trying to make our communities more connected, decrease stigma and help people feel confident reaching out when they notice someone changing from their normal baseline."
That includes training people who may not traditionally see themselves as mental health interveners, such as educators, coaches, employers and even hairdressers.
"Not everybody needs a therapist," Duriez said. "Sometimes they need somebody who cares about them, notices something has changed and reaches out."
The same philosophy is guiding a growing training program offered through the Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours (SIGN) in Yorkton.
Lead counsellor Benjamin Swanson and life skills manager Christopher Smith recently expanded a monthly suicide intervention training course designed to help front-line workers and community members recognize warning signs, have difficult conversations and connect people to appropriate resources.
The program combines online learning with an in-person workshop focused on practical skills and building confidence.
"The idea of this program is to destigmatize and allow for an easier approach to those conversations," Swanson said. "We're teaching people how to recognize concerns, de-escalate situations and connect people to the supports they need."
Participants learn the difference between suicidal thoughts and an immediate suicide risk, as well as how to develop collaborative wellness plans with individuals who may be struggling.
Unlike older intervention models, the training places a strong emphasis on empathy, personal connection and meeting people where they are.
"We don't have the right to define their story," Swanson said. "We're there to support them and help them figure out what works for them."
"It humanizes the approach," said Swanson. "You're not there to be the medical expert. You're there to support somebody until they can access additional services."
Swanson believes conversations around suicide and mental health have become more open in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I do think there's been a cultural shift," Swanson said. "People realized it's okay to not be okay and it's okay to ask for help."
Smith noted that new challenges have emerged, particularly for youth, stating that social media has changed the way young people experience conflict and bullying, allowing negative interactions to follow them beyond the classroom and into their homes and personal lives.
Still, those working in prevention say the solution remains rooted in connection.
Whether through community-based programs such as Roots of Hope, training initiatives at SIGN or informal check-ins among friends and family members, they believe suicide prevention begins with creating environments where people feel supported and comfortable asking for help.
"Together we make a difference," Odgers said. "The sooner somebody has support, the less likely they are to reach that crisis point."
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 or 988, Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
