A Manitoba community devastated by a growing number of suicides says it is in a desperate need for help.
The Cross Lake First Nation, north of Lake Winnipeg, declared a state of emergency yesterday after it reported six suicides in the last two months, and 140 suicide attempts in the last two weeks.
Cross Lake Executive Council Member Donnie McKay says the issue has exhausted their health workers.
"Our health workers here on the ground are just burnt out now. Day in and day out, 24 hours responding to calls and trying to address the issue, but we need those immediate outside expert teams to come in and assist our health workers."
While the First Nation certainly does need more health workers, McKay believes it is not the only thing the community needs that it lacks.
"We need recreation workers. We need facilities. We need family counseling members. We need some assistance to programming and servicing to combat the issue."
The province has committed a crisis support crew to aid in the situation, but Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives thinks that is not enough. Family Services Critic Ian Wishart says the NDP government does not spend enough money on suicide prevention.
"Of their total budget, for example, of Child and Family Services, only about 8% of the dollars they spend are in prevention. They spend much more in apprehension. We would move that focus into preventing the need for family breakups, and for providing strength and supports for the family."
The province could not be reached for a comment at this time.
