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Suicide Prevention in Canada: A History of a Community Approach

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
September 2000

Abstract

Suicide is a major mental health and public health problem in Canada. Canada's suicide rate ranks above average in comparison to countries around the world. The prevention of suicide predates the European presence in Canada and much can be learned from these endeavours. Current efforts grew largely from the grass roots, with little government support or initiative (with a few provincial/territorial exceptions). Canada's community efforts have been diverse and inclusive. Among such efforts have been: (a) traditional approaches among Native peoples, (b) the establishment of the first crisis centre in Sudbury in the 1960s, (c) the development of a comprehensive model in Alberta, (d) the beginning of a survivor movement in the 1980s, and (c) the national prevention efforts of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. There are, however, striking lacks—most notable among them the paucity of support for research in Canada. Future efforts will call for even greater community response to prevent suicide and to promote wellness.

Résumé

Le suicide est un problème de santé mentale et publique majeur au Canada. Le taux de suicide au Canada dépasse la moyenne observée dans les autres pays du monde. La prévention du suicide existait avant l'arrivée des Européens en sol canadien et l'on peut tirer de nombreux enseignements de ces pratiques. Les mesures actuellement en cours sont surtout le fruit du travail des intervenants et intervenantes dans le milieu, qui n'ont bénéficié que d'un faible soutien et ont souffert du manque d'initiatives de la part des gouvernements (sauf quelques exceptions au niveau provincial et territorial). Les efforts déployés par les communautés canadiennes se démarquent par leur caractère varié et leur nature inclusive. Parmi ces efforts, notions; (a) les approches traditionnelles chez les autochtones, (b) l'établissement du premier centre de crise è Sudbury dans les années 1960, (c) le développement d'un modèle d'intervention complet en Alberta, (d) l'émergence du mouvement des survivants et survivantes au cours des années 1980 et enfin, (e) les campagnes pancanadiennes de prévention lancées par l'Association canadienne pour la prévention du suicide. Toutefois, il existe encore de sérieuses lacunes, notamment la pauvreté du soutien è la recherche en ce domaine au Canada. Il est è prévoir que les initiatives du future feront encore plus largement appel è la contribution de la communauté afin de prévenir le suicide et de promouvoir la santé.

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cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 19Number 2September 2000
Pages: 57 - 73

History

Version of record online: 4 May 2009

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Antoon A. Leenaars
Windsor, Ontario & University of Leiden, The Netherlands

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