Working Together to Prevent Suicide in Canada the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention Acknowledgements
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WORKING TOGETHER TO PREVENT SUICIDE IN CANADA THE FEDERAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention was developed in recognition of those lost by suicide and the many Canadians who continue to struggle with thoughts of suicide. The Framework recognizes those who are affected by suicide, those who have survived suicide loss and those who have survived a suicide attempt and who are healing. It is built on the tremendous dedication of those who work in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention and those who are working to foster healthy and supportive environments for all Canadians. If you or someone you care about needs help, please contact a call centre in Canada near you: http://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/ or 911 © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Health, 2016 PDF Cat.: HP35-61/2015E-PDF Pub.: 150038 ISBN: 978-0-660-02649-7 Également disponible en français. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 2 INFORMING THE FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................... 4 FRAMEWORK OVERVIEW ............................................................................................... 6 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND FEDERAL COMMITMENTS ............................................. 9 THE FEDERAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION: AT A GLANCE ...................... 12 CURRENT SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS IN CANADA .............................................. 13 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ........................................................................................... 17 PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS .............................................................................. 24 MOVING FORWARD ...................................................................................................... 31 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................. 32 ANNEX A: SUICIDE IN CANADA ................................................................................... 33 ANNEX B: SUICIDE RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS ................................................. 36 GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................... 39 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 44 THE FEDERAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION 1 INTRODUCTION Suicide is a significant cause of premature associated with suicide and mental illness death in Canada. It affects people of all may discourage many people from seeking ages and backgrounds across all Canadian the help they need.5 Stressful experiences, regions. An average of more than ten such as exposure to trauma, the death of a Canadians died by suicide each day in 2012.1 loved one, a job loss, a change in physical Deaths by suicide have devastating and health or relationships and individual immeasurable impact and leave families, characteristics and behaviours are also friends, classmates, coworkers and associated with suicide.6 [See Annex B for communities struggling with grief and more information on the risk and protective searching for solutions. factors associated with suicide.] Of the nearly 4,000 Canadians who die Suicide is not necessarily the wish to every year by suicide, more than 90 percent die but a need to end emotional pain.7 were living with a mental illness.2 However, People experiencing thoughts of suicide not all people who die by suicide have or suicide-related behaviour may feel been diagnosed with a mental illness and hopeless or overwhelmed and see no most people living with a mental illness other option.5 do not attempt suicide. Suicide also affects Despite the complexities related to suicide, certain segments of the population there is hope. Suicide can be prevented disproportionately, such as some First when collective efforts are harnessed to Nations communities and all Inuit regions instil hope and healing, raise awareness where suicide rates can be five to twenty and promote mental health and well-being. times higher than the national average.3 [See Annex A for more information about In accordance with An Act respecting a suicide in Canada.] Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention which became law in December 2012,8 Suicide is a complex issue involving the Government of Canada developed the biological, psychological, social, cultural, Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention spiritual, economic and other factors, as (the Framework) to align federal activities well as the physical environment in which in suicide prevention, while complementing people live.4 These factors can interact and the important work underway in provinces lead a person to have thoughts of suicide and territories, Indigenous organizations, or suicide-related behaviour and the stigma 2 THE FEDERAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION non-governmental organizations and Suicide: A Global Imperative report,5 which communities, as well as the private sector. reinforces the value of a public health approach to suicide prevention. This The Framework is not a national strategy approach includes both universal nor does it replace existing strategies or interventions, which strive to improve frameworks implemented by provinces, the health of the population as a whole, territories, communities or Indigenous and tailored interventions for groups that organizations. The Framework sets out experience higher rates of suicide and the Government of Canada’s strategic which strive to reduce health disparities objectives, guiding principles and between groups. commitments in suicide prevention. It focuses on better connections among The public health approach focuses on people, information and resources, as prevention and draws on multi-disciplinary well as research and innovation in order knowledge, perspectives and experience, to raise awareness, reduce stigma and including health sciences (such as medicine, prevent suicide. nursing, psychiatry and epidemiology), sociology, psychology, criminology, The Framework contributes to the education and economics to broadly implementation of the Mental Health understand suicide, identify factors that Strategy for Canada: Changing Directions, play a role in increasing or reducing risks Changing Lives,9 which is focused on for suicide and to improve collective action, improving the mental health and well-being research and best practices in suicide of all Canadians. It also aligns with the prevention. This is widely regarded as an First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum approach that is likely to produce significant Framework (the Continuum) which is and sustained solutions in the prevention designed to help partners work more of suicide.11 Overall, the Framework will effectively with federal, provincial and help connect suicide prevention efforts territorial programs within a comprehensive across Canada and serve as the foundation mental wellness system for First Nations.10 for meaningful and lasting partnerships The Framework is informed by the across sectors, organizations and jurisdictions World Health Organization’s Preventing to prevent suicide. THE FEDERAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION 3 INFORMING THE FRAMEWORK Since An Act respecting a Federal there is a need for better information and Framework for Suicide Prevention was awareness to reduce stigma and improve enacted in 2012,8 the federal government programs and initiatives to prevent suicide. has undertaken considerable analysis to Several key themes emerged from the better understand suicide prevention. online consultation: The Public Health Agency of Canada • Public perception as a barrier to suicide gathered information through webinars prevention—Both the stigma of suicide and meetings with other government and the fear of contagion when talking departments, non-governmental about suicide challenge efforts to raise organizations, national Indigenous awareness and disseminate information organizations, officials from provinces and about suicide. Increased awareness of territories and community stakeholders suicide in the general population to about current efforts to prevent suicide support open dialogue would help across Canada. The Public Health Agency advance suicide prevention efforts. of Canada also held an online public consultation to inform the development of • The need for effective information the Framework. A total of 376 respondents dissemination and knowledge-sharing (both organizations and individuals) mechanisms, particularly at the participated in this consultation. community level—Many respondents indicated that there is a lack of These discussions and consultations awareness of existing resources or provided a broad range of information that it is difficult to access tools, about many existing suicide prevention resources and guidelines for those approaches and activities taking place seeking services to help themselves, across Canada. While excellent work is friends or loved ones. Better access underway, these discussions highlighted to support for those experiencing that a number of challenges remain. thoughts of suicide or suicide-related Suicide prevention efforts and resources behaviour and for survivors grieving a are fragmented across the country and loss due to suicide would be beneficial. among federal departments. As well, 4 THE FEDERAL