“On Father’s Day last year Debbie and I lost our son, Lincoln West, to suicide,” grant recipient Rick West said. “As you can imagine, our priorities in life have shifted and Debbie and I are determined to turn our pain into purpose. In October 2024, we formed the Lincoln’s Life Mattered Foundation with the goal of shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support. The grant provided by the Ministry of Health is critical in helping our newly formed foundation achieve this goal.
“The funds will directly support our Healthy Minds, Healthy Communities initiative which offers Mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training to participants. The workshops are designed to promote mental wellness, reduce stigma and equip parents, youth, educators and coaches with practical tools to support mental health and prevent suicide.”
Released in 2020, Pillars for Life serves as a guide for government and partners to improve and expand suicide prevention efforts in the province. In addition to the Suicide Prevention Grant Program, several key provincial suicide prevention initiatives include:
- Funding the community-led Roots of Hope Suicide Prevention initiative in five northern Saskatchewan communities;
- Funding a provincial rapid access suicide loss support program through Family Service Saskatchewan, which supports the immediate psychological needs of families and friends of people who have died by suicide or survived with significant injury or trauma;
- Support of a family engagement group to gather feedback from families who have experienced suicide loss;
- Support for suicide prevention public awareness campaigns to inform individuals that help is available for people thinking of, or affected by, suicide; and
- Promotion of the national Suicide Crisis Helpline, 9-8-8.
This year, Saskatchewan is investing a record $624 million in mental health and addictions, which includes $2.25 million specifically for suicide prevention initiatives.
For a list of groups receiving a Suicide Prevention Grant, visit: saskatchewan.ca/suicide-prevention-grant.
To learn about resources available on suicide prevention and mental health, visit: saskatchewan.ca/suicide-prevention.
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