During the Saskatchewan Urban Municipality Association's (SUMA) annual convention, cities put forward a number of resolutions to be voted on as to whether they'll pass and be a priority for the organization moving forward. The City of Estevan put forward their own resolution, which concerned funding for mental health initiatives and supports.
The text of the resolution presented at the convention is as follows:
Before the gathered voting delegates voted on the resolution, it was spoken for by Estevan Councillor Kirsten Walliser, who started out by acknowledging the current commitments from the province, including the Saskatchewan Human Health Resource Action Plan.
She says there still needs to be more work done in Saskatchewan.
"Despite this, the daily lived experience of our own community members indicates that as the 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."
Walliser voiced her understanding of the complexities that underlie mental health issues, such as "insecure housing, life with chronic health concerns, the lasting impacts of intergenerational trauma, poverty, unmet mental health needs, and insufficient supports." She's hopeful that improvement is in the future for Saskatchewan communities, so long as they're included.
"We provide the parks and paths that support physical and mental well-being. We ensure clean drinking water and sanitary services. We design the physical layout of our community that foster safety and well-being, and we deserve a seat at each and every table where the implementation of provincial services within our community is being debated, allocated, implemented, and evaluated."
Walliser finished by asking that the gathered delegates vote to make sure local elected officials have their thoughts and insights heard by the province to support mental health.
While there was an opportunity introduced for anyone to speak in opposition to the resolution, no one spoke against it.
The resolution passed with 277 votes in favour and 31 votes against.