Strengthening suicide prevention in Ontario hospitals: A report from the OHA Task Force on Suicide Prevention

In 2015, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care asked the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) to create a Task Force to recommend safe medical practices for patients atrisk of suicide. The OHA Task Force on Suicide Prevention
(Task Force) met regularly throughout the 2015-16 year, examined current hospital policies and protocols for suicide prevention and assessment, and reviewed practices and emerging evidence from other jurisdictions.

Key Recommendations
1. Implement the Zero Suicide Model, which is a comprehensive, leadership-driven approach within hospitals that includes a commitment to dramatically reducing suicide and to collaborating with all partners on care transitions.
2. Ensure that hospitals have the support needed to review and improve the physical environment; and

3. Improve data collection in Ontario to accurately determine the number of deaths by suicide (including those that occur in persons under hospital care)