Sask. Youth Advocate raises alarm about increase in suicide attempts in care system: report [Video]

The Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth released the 2023 annual report on Wednesday, highlighting the challenges faced by children and youth in the province.

According to the report, the volume of investigation files the Saskatchewan Advocate’s office has received this past year confirms that children and youth continue to suffer unaddressed mental health issues, which results in a concerning increase of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation.

“Mental health, particularly anxiety and depression, that young people face, is also something we continue to note,” said Lisa Broda, Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth. “One of the biggest things that we’re noting particularly…is suicide attempts and death by suicide.”

The report states the Saskatchewan Advocate’s office saw a marked increase in suicide attempts in 2023, with more than three times as many being reported as than in previous years.

“Our office (was) notified of an additional 48 attempted suicides and 39 …