Weekly News Roundup August 8 – 14, 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:
Featured:
AHS reviewing what led to suicide at Peter Lougheed Centre – CBC
August 9, 2016
CSP’s Mara Grunau spoke to CBC in response to the suicide death of a psychiatric patient at Calgary’s Peter Lougheed Centre, run by Alberta Health Services (AHS). Grunau emphasized the need for collaboration between all provincial agencies in regards to suicide prevention, and that “We can’t just push all of the issues onto one agency (AHS) and expect them to solve it for everyone.”
Military suicide rate ‘a national shame’ as 41 take own lives since start of 2016 – Guardian
August 13, 2016
A special investigation into suicide deaths in the Australian military has found that “41 military personnel and veterans have taken their own lives this year, the same as the number of Australians who were killed in Afghanistan during 13 years of war.” This is perhaps due to the inaccessibility of mental health care services, as many return home with PTSD and other mental health concerns. “The number of suicides and the incidence of despair, depression and broken lives among our veteran community is a national shame,” a retired lieutenant-general from the Australian military said.
Mental health referrals spike in wake of Fort McMurray fire – CBC
August 11, 2016
Almost ¼ of Fort Mac evacuees (20,000 people) have looked into accessing mental health services since wild fires forced them to evacuate their city back in May. "People who were evacuated felt very uprooted,“ said Dr. Sandra Corbett, psychiatrist and head of mental health services for the region. "We know there are different states in the process, of the kind of different emotions that the people go through.”
Queer teens are four times more likely to commit suicide, CDC reports – The Verge
August 11, 2016
The Centers for Disease Control has conducted the first “nationally representative study” of LGB youth, and have “confirm(ed) health differences between LGB and straight teens: far more of the former experience negative health measures.” Besides often being less physically healthy, the study found that LGB youth are often less mentally healthy as well: nearly 1/3 of gay and bisexual students have attempted suicide and 43% have seriously considered suicide, compared to 15% of straight students.
Ontario adds funding to develop mental health standards for paramedics – Ottawa Sun
August 10, 2016
$200,000 will be given by the Ontario government to develop a psychological health and wellness standard for paramedics, not only in Ontario but throughout Canada. Pierre Poirier, VP of the Paramedic Association of Canada, said that mental health is the most important issue among paramedics.
Tape sculptures on High Level Bridge spark mental health discussion – Metro
August 9, 2016
Last Monday life-sized human sculptures were placed on the suicide barriers of the High Level Bridge, a “suicide hot-spot" in Edmonton.
High suicide rates in north prompt coroner to call for research – CBC
August 9, 2016
The chief coroner in New Brunswick is calling for more research into why the northern towns of Campbellton and Edmundston have the highest rates of suicide – 24 and 20 per 100,000, almost double the rate of the rest of the province. There are about 100 suicides a year in New Brunswick, which is slightly higher than the average rates in Canada.
Suicide at Calgary hospital shows need for transparency, mental health advocates say – CBC
August 8, 2016
An inpatient at the Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary died by suicide in July, and Alberta Health Services (AHS) has said that "it will ‘review all aspects of the events leading up to the tragedy.’"