Mental health services expanding for youth in Saskatchewan

Free mental health services are now being offered to youth across Saskatchewan.

This comes from a collaboration between Family Services Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan government, which are providing $1.7 million in new annual funding.

Family Services Saskatchewan built its proposal for the expansion based on the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth report in 2022 that identified gaps in mental health services.

Kirk Englot, the CEO at Family Service Regina, said the program will fill in those gaps.

“Our goal has been to make it easy for people to access services at the time they need it,” said Englot.

Kirk Englot, the CEO at Family Service Regina. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

He hopes the counselling service — which is available in person and remotely — will ease stress on hospitals and emergency rooms.

Accessing mental health services can be a very difficult and lengthy process, and Englot wants to ensure that’s not the case. He said the goal is to have an appointment booked within one to two weeks.

“There’s no fee, there’s no need for a referral (and) there’s no need to present a health card,” he said.

Last year, the organization had almost 10,000 appointments. It will be able to do even more with this new funding, according to Englot.

The new funding will help pay for 13 additional counsellors across the province.

The counsellors must have appropriate credentials and licences, as well as experience working with youth. They will be able to assist children with mental health issues related to things like stress, depression, family conflict, addiction and domestic abuse.

According to Englot, half of the new positions are already filled.

Regina and Saskatoon are the first communities in the province to receive the services. Additional communities will be announced in July through September. Everett Hindley, the province’s mental health and addictions minister, said there will be further expansions in upcoming years.

For more information, hours of operation and to book an appointment visit Counselling Connect Saskatchewan.