HOPE Symposium Takes Place in La Ronge
It’s no secret there has been crisis and a great deal of loss experienced in Northern Saskatchewan in the second half of 2016. During the last weekend in November, a series of workshops were held in La Ronge focused on HOPE, resiliency and celebrating life.
On Saturday, November 26th, faculty and nursing students from the Prince Albert campus, as well as Saskatchewan Polytechnic, boarded a bus to La Ronge to help facilitate the HOPE Symposium for students of Northern Saskatchewan. “The students and faculty were asked to present Suicide Prevention workshops for more than 200 students from grades 7 – 12, along with some family members,” said Dr. June Anonson, Professor at the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing Prince Albert Campus. “The workshops were very well received and other events over the weekend included recreational and cultural activities and practical ‘hands-on’ support for suicide prevention.” The students attending the weekend of HOPE were predominantly from La Ronge, but included students from five surrounding communities as well.
This wonderful initiative was sponsored by the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region and the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region. Visiting professors from the North Sichuan Medical University in China also helped to facilitate these workshops. The weekend was followed up with ongoing support for students and their families provided by the La Ronge Mental Health Services & Counselling Centre and Lac La Ronge Indian Band Health Services.