COVID-19 impact on Indigenous-Mental-Health

Monday, 4 May 2020 16:47

The Chief of the Makwa Sahgaiehcan (MAK'-wah sah-GAY'-gihn) First Nation in Northwestern Saskatchewan says he's worried about the mental health impacts of COVID-19 on his community, which is already grieving following a rash of suicides.

Another chief of a First Nation in nearby northwestern Saskatchewan says he's worried about the mental health impacts of COVID-19 on his community, which is already grieving following a rash of suicides.

The Makwa Sahgaiehcan (MAK'-wah sah-GAY'-gihn) First Nation at Loon Lake declared a state of crisis in mid-November of 2019 after three deaths by suicide occurred over three weeks, including a 10-year-old girl.

Chief Ronald Mitsuing (mit-SOO'-ing) says a deep sense of grief remains within the community of just over one thousand, especially after a 31-year-old man took his own life two weeks ago.

Mitsuing says he fears the stress and worry about a possible outbreak of COVID-19 could trigger further mental health suffering among some of his residents.

The Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation did receive help from the province and federal government to deal with the immediate aftermath of the suicide crisis, but Mitsuing says they need more permanent resources.

He wants funding to train locals as trauma counsellors, rather than relying on outside help or having to send youth away for treatment -- which is all the more imperative during the pandemic, as the First Nation remains locked down to outsiders.

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