Weekly News Roundup August 2 – 7, 2016
Hello Friends,
Every day we scan news headlines and social media for items of interest to the field of suicide prevention. Here’s what we found last week:
Woman survives jump from High Level Bridge same day mysterious figures appear climbing suicide barrier – Edmonton Journal
August 7, 2016
Newly installed suicide barriers on the High Level Bridge in Edmonton have become the subject of a public art piece that shows 5 figures climbing up the barriers. A few hours prior to the last figures being taken down, a 22-year-old woman scaled the barriers and jumped – she was not injured. It is not apparent who put the figures on the bridge, or why they placed them there.
Commentary: Rest in peace my sweet boy – Toronto Star
August 7, 2016
This commentary is a response to the death of a close friend by suicide. According to the author, this friend tried to receive mental health help, but to no avail: “Psychiatric care is shamefully underfunded, societal attitudes are still outdated, and outreach and empathy (are) progressing far too slowly. In the final analysis as individuals what we can do and what we must do is to be present, to listen, to care and to love.”
No inquest into troubled boy’s suicide – Toronto Star
August 6, 2016
12-year-old Chazz Petrella died by suicide two years ago, after years of suffering from mental illness. Petrella regularly accessed Ontario’s mental health system, but the family has learned there will be no inquiry into his death. “The Petrellas say they continue to believe there is a lack of funding, training and co-ordination between the various agencies and argue their concerns could have been probed publicly and addressed through recommendations from an inquest jury.”
Judge says there were opportunities to prevent Edmonton soldier’s suicide – Globe and Mail
August 5, 2016
Cpl. Shaun Collins died by suicide in a cell at the military base in Edmonton after being arrested by military police for drunk driving, instigating a fatality inquiry report conducted by the Alberta provincial court. Though cells are supposed to be designed to prevent means of suicide, according to the judge: "there were no working cameras in the cell area and cell doors provided a number of ligature points.“ Further, no computer search on Cpl. Collins was done, which would have revealed that he suffered from PTSD and had attempted suicide before. As the fatality inquiry was conducted by a provincial body, recommendations do not have to be followed by the military, however the judge "reminded all provincial and municipal detention facilities to make sure staff access computer databases and continuously monitor people in custody. She said all holding cells should also be ‘suicide proof.’”
Rerouting the life paths that lead to Inuit suicide – Policy Options
August 4, 2016
Last week, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Health Canada released the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy.The strategy hopes to reduce the suicide rate of Inuit by changing the course of their lived experiences – treating existing trauma, raising children to be mentally and physically healthy, restoring social equality and cultural continuity.
Spread love, not hate – Carstairs Courier
August 2, 2016
Journalist Patricia Riley details her experiences with suicide, and the importance of looking out for signs of depression that could signal suicidal thoughts: “We need to work together to break stigma, look for the signs, be kind to others and win the war against depression.”
Laval researchers studying PTSD, mental health in Fort McMurray – Fort McMurray Today
August 2, 2016
Two graduate students from the School of Psychology at Laval University are examining the responses of the people of Fort McMurray to the messaging that has surrounded them upon their return to the city. They have found that messaging like, “Fort McMurray Strong,” while intended to be positive, don’t always produce a positive response: “If everyone is talking about how they’re strong but they cry every morning, it’s hard to face a community and pretend to be strong,” said researcher Camille Pepin. “I am sure the positive messages have been truly uplifting and encouraging, and helping a lot of people. But for others, it might be overwhelming or even embarrassing.”
‘How’s Amanda?’ A story of truth, lies and an American addiction – Washington Post
July 23, 2016
This article details the addiction and recovery of an American woman, Amanda, who has spent 10 years in the throes of heroine addiction. Though not directly related to suicide, this story provides a glimpse at what recovery looks like.