Shamattawa suicides shake northern Manitoba reserve

The northern Manitoba reserve of Shamattawa is mourning the deaths of four young people in the past six weeks, with concern growing after four more suicide attempts since last Thursday.

"We are at the stage where we can't wait until the next victim," said Grand Chief David Harper of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents northern Manitoba First Nations.

He said more support services are needed in the isolated community of 1,000 people as soon as possible. An appeal has been sent to Health Canada to establish a crisis intervention team for Manitoba, similar to one in Ontario that goes into northern or isolated communities when suicides happen.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/shamattawa-suicides-shake-northern-manitoba-reserve-1.3009897