A National Suicide Prevention Strategy for Canadians—From Research to Policy and Practice

Abstract

T he 4 articles in this issue, by Bennett et al, 1 Langille et al, 2 Chachamovich et al, 3 and Chartrand et al, 4 draw attention to the significant public health problem of suicide, and suicidal behaviour, in the Canadian context. In 2011, 3728 people in Canada died by suicide-about 10 people per day.5 The rate of death by suicide, nation-wide, was 10.8 per 100 000 population, 6 and suicide was the second leading cause of death for youth under 24 years. 7 Each of the 4 studies in this issue highlights areas for further attention or intervention, areas that could be systematically addressed and prioritized in a suicide prevention strategy; and yet Canada is one of the few countries in the industrialized world that does not have a national strategy for suicide prevention.The systematic review of reviews of suicide prevention strategies relevant to youth, by Bennett and her large cross-national team of researchers, 1 most explicitly calls for a national approach, including a national research-to-practice network to facilitate the incorporation of evidence into policy and practice. Overall, they comment on the limited randomized control trials that address youth suicide prevention. They focus their review on 2 areas: school-based prevention programs; and the prevention of repeat suicide attempts. Their review results in 6 consensus-based recommendations, which encourage decision makers to adopt both school-oriented strategies (including suicide awareness curriculum, skills training, and gatekeeper training, and screening as a targeted prevention measure) and strategies that enhance the skills of trained professionals in health care settings where youth seek care. Bennett et al 1 point to the lack of gender-and (or) sex-based analysis in intervention studies, and the lack of studies that address suicide prevention among First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth.Adding to the literature on the importance of the school setting for youth, Langille et al 2 examine the protective nature of school connectedness in high school on suicidal ideation, in both males and females, and on suicide attempts in females. The protective effect of school connectedness on suicide attempt was not significant for males when depression was added as a variable in the model of suicide attempt, despite similar levels in ratings of school connectedness for males and females. School connectedness was measured using a rating scale that asked students to rate the degree to which they feel close to people in school; are happy to be in school; and, feel safe in their school. Future inquiry into other dimensions of how students experience connectedness in school, including their cognitions, and behavioural indices, such as attendance and extracurricular participation, may further explicate these associations, and gender differences. Nevertheless, their study makes a strong case that "increasing school connectedness should be considered as a universal adolescent mental health strategy,"2, p 258 and underlines the importance of interpersonal and ecological...

Advancing Public Mental Health in Canada through a National Suicide Prevention Service: Setting an Agenda for Canadian Standards of Excellence

“…The CSPS supports appeals for greater investment in public health approaches to mental health and wellness 1 and for an integrated, national response to suicide prevention. 2 Suicide remains one of the top 10 leading causes of death in all age groups, and it is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds in Canada. 3 These needs are even more pressing in the current context of the pandemic caused by COVID-19.…”

Exploring the health and well-being of children and youth in Winneway, Québec

“…Indigenous children and youth are a unique population, growing at a faster rate compared to non-Indigenous children and youth in Canada (Government of Canada, 2016). Health inequalities among Canadian and Quebec Indigenous children and youth are reflected by health disparities, including higher rates of obesity, diabetes, infectious diseases, poor oral hygiene, depression, and suicide, compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts (Boksa, Joober, & Kirmayer, 2015;Crawford A, 2015;King, Smith, & Gracey, 2009, p. 2;Kooiman et al, 2012;Rice et al, 2016). Despite these known health risks, there is a paucity of literature exploring the health and well-being concerns from the perspectives of Indigenous children and youth.…”

Suicide among Aboriginals

“…These 3 articles are quite useful in adding ideas and suggestions on how to improve better prevention and treatments. We know that there is already a national Inuit suicide prevention strategy called ‘Inuit Tapirit Kanatami’ 11 ; we are looking for a national Aboriginal suicide prevention strategy in taking into account the diversity of Aboriginal people’s cultures. We hope that the Act Respecting a Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention will be translated into concrete and applied strategies, including enhanced access to culturally sensible and culturally safe services.…”