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

Abstract

The Public Health Agency of Canada is funding a new Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS), timely both in recognition of the need for a public health approach to suicide prevention, and also in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is causing concern about the potential for increases in suicide. This editorial reviews priorities for suicide prevention in Canada, in relation to the evidence for crisis line services, and current international best practices in the implementation of crisis lines; in particular, the CSPS recognizes the importance of being guided by existing evidence as well as the opportunity to contribute to evidence, to lead innovation in suicide prevention, and to involve communities and people with lived experience in suicide prevention efforts.

Prototyping the implementation of a suicide prevention protocol in primary care settings using PDSA cycles: a mixed method study

“…The study findings highlighted the need for stronger mental health networks or coalitions, funding resources, supportive policies, and insurance coverage. Our findings are consistent with other studies that show mental health networks poorly integrated with primary care, lacking standardized specific approaches to mitigating suicide risk in their patients often overlook at-risk individuals ( 4 , 31 , 67 , 72 ). In the absence of sufficient evidence for universal assessment of suicide prevention, Canada has developed public health policy that prioritizes suicide prevention among high-risk groups in primary care ( 73–75 ).…”

“…In the absence of sufficient evidence for universal assessment of suicide prevention, Canada has developed public health policy that prioritizes suicide prevention among high-risk groups in primary care (73)(74)(75). Moreover, the Public Health Agency of Canada, recognizing that suicide remains a leading cause of death and that the rate of suicide ideation has been increasing, has committed to funding suicide prevention toward creating a national network of crisis services (CSC) (4,8,76,77).…”

“…Suicide is a serious public health issue, causing significant burden to individuals, families, and the healthcare systems (1)(2)(3)(4). Despite the fact that the suicide mortality rates have largely been decreasing over time (24% between 1981 and 2017) (5,6), approximately 4,500 people die by suicide in Canada every year (7,8).…”

Developing a Tool to Assess the Impact of Simulated Intervention Strategies on Suicide and Suicidal Behaviours in Canada: A Dynamic Modelling & Machine Learning Approach

“…Suicide and suicidal behaviour remain among the most pressing public health challenges in Canada [1]. Beyond the immediate loss of life, the knock-on effects of suicide touch families [2], communities [3], and entire societies [4], often leaving wounds that time struggles to heal.…”