Suicide prevention: A review and policy recommendations July 2020

CAMH researchers are investigating the root causes of suicide and are developing and evaluating innovative suicide prevention strategies. Along with numerous other experts in the field— including clinicians; researchers; people who have experienced suicidal thoughts, behaviours or attempts; family members; and communities—CAMH is contributing to the growing knowledge base on suicide prevention. We recognize, however, that there is much more for all of us to do. Most urgent for CAMH and the mental health community is the need to address the lack of resources that makes it difficult to meet the needs of everyone who is
experiencing an acute suicidal crisis.
In this paper, CAMH looks at what we do know about suicide. We will highlight suicide related statistics for Canada, provide an overview of risk factors and warning signs, and discuss a range of suicide prevention strategies that are known to work or that show promise of future success. To conclude, we will offer five recommendations to governments and decision-makers on how to advance suicide prevention efforts in Canada.