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SASKATOON - The City of Estevan's motion for increased mental health supports for communities was approved April 14 by delegates attending the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association's (SUMA) convention in Saskatoon. 

The motion notes mental health and social service needs in Saskatchewan communities continue to increase, placing a significant strain on local resources. It also says the Government of Saskatchewan is increasingly downloading responsibilities for mental health and social services to municipalities, without providing adequate funding.

It goes on to say municipal governments are not equipped with the financial capacity or specialized expertise to manage these essential services, and insufficient support for mental health and social services contributes to worsening social issues, including homelessness, addiction, crime and strain on public safety resources.

The motion asked for SUMA to advocate the provincial government to increase provincial funding for these supports to alleviate the downloaded burden on local resources, and for SUMA to advocate the government to commit to ongoing collaboration with municipalities on the deployment of mental health and social services resources in communities, to ensure the delivery of these services is both sustainable and effective in addressing community needs.

Coun. Kirsten Walliser spoke to the motion at the convention. She said the city acknowledges the funding from the Ministry of Social Services and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, and the impact of the Saskatchewan Health and Human Resources Action Plan.

"Despite this, the daily lived experience of our own community members indicates that as a province, we have not yet found the solution. As individual communities, we are still picking up the pieces of a broken system, trying to bridge the gaps, and support those we love," she said.

"Municipal leaders understand the complexities that accompany ongoing exposure to insecure housing, life with chronic health concerns, the impact of intergenerational trauma, poverty, unmet mental health needs and insufficient support for those struggling with addictions."

The city sees potential for improvement, she said. Where opportunities for change exist, she said the beauty of people is embraced and supported by their community and people walk through life's challenges.

"We provide the parks and paths that support physical and mental well-小蓝视频, we ensure clean drinking water and sanitary services. We design the physical layout of our communities that will foster safety and well-小蓝视频, and we deserve a seat at each and every table where the implementation of these provincial services within our communities is 小蓝视频 debated, allocated, implemented and evaluated."

After she spoke, nobody voiced opposition to the motion, and it was ratified.

The approved resolutions guide SUMA's advocacy efforts over the next three years.

The convention wraps up April 16.