Protesters fight mental health cuts

A group of about 20 protesters gathered outside the Legislative Building this morning askingfor more government money to be allocated to mental health.

The protest was organized by Todd Rennebohm who recently wrote a letter detailing his struggles with his mental health after hearing about job cuts to the Regina Qu'AppelleHealth Region late last month.

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• 20 Regina health region workers losing their jobs

Since writing the letter, the outpouring of support has inspired Rennebohm to advocate for other people struggling with their mental health.

"Hundred of people tell me their stories, reach out to me," said Rennebohm. "That tells me people are needing mental health in this province and it's an important issue."

Rennebohm has been contacted byhealth region and government officials since the publication of his letter.

"I'm hoping that if nothing else, people are talking, people are more comfortable to write their own letters," said Rennebohm. He hopes more people will get involved and that government will implement a mental health action plan with more funding.

Leader of the Opposition, Trent Wotherspoon, attended the protest.

"I'm here to stand with them, I'm here to fight for those services, and not just to stop cuts but to expand mental health services, supports, and to fight the stigma all across Saskatchewan," said Wotherspoon.

Wotherspoon said the cuts to mental health care are "devastating".

"To see these cuts occurring at this time, at a time of great strain for many is sad and it's wrong, and we'll fight them every step of the way."

Health region responds

Michael Redenbach, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region's vice president of integrated health services, has said that the change will not affect patient care.

Redenbach said that the layoffs were to allow the unit to move to a new staffing roster that would improve staffing levels at the Inpatient Mental Health Unit at the Regina General Hospital.

"We're moving from one nurse for every seven patients to one nurse for every fivepatients," said Redenbach.

He saidthe new staffing rosterwill have all nurses working 8-hour shifts to provide more continuity of care for patients that have extended periods of stay on the unit.

"I don't deny that, for the individuals affectedand their coworkers it is a significant impact on their lives," said Redenbach. "Despite the fact that we might be moving to a better staffing radio or a better roster, they're coping with the more immediate circumstance of this change."

"We really do feel that we've made some changes in the last few years that have made a difference and have improved our ability to serve people with mental illness," said Redenbach. "We've got more to do that's absolutely for sure, but we do think we're making some good strides in that direction."