Weekly News Roundup Dec. 3 – 9, 2022
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Many first responders struggle with PTSD. Limited research suggests psychedelics may help – CBC
December 9, 2022
The Newly Institute is a mental health services clinic in Calgary, offering a four-week outpatient program involving the combination of ketamine treatments with therapy. Jas Kainth, who works with the Calgary Police Service, was experiencing PTSD and having thoughts about self-harm. Kainth went through the four-week treatment and says, “I’ve never smoked a cigarette, I’ve never smoked marijuana, I’ve never finished an alcoholic drink. I went from zero to, ‘I’m going to use a psychedelic that’s going to alter my mental state.’ But that’s desperation. I used it and it helped — and I’m here.” Kainth says the treatments were effective for him, and he continues to work through his trauma. Ruth Lanius, a professor of psychiatry and director of the PTSD research unit at Western University says, “It’s unlikely the answer to everything — nothing is. But the more treatments we have, the more we can personalize those treatments, especially in that substantial population that don’t respond to the mainstream treatments.”
Cape Breton veteran awarded first critical injury benefit solely for PTSD – CBC
December 8, 2022
Fabien Henry, a military veteran, has experienced PTSD since 2007 following a tour in Afghanistan. In 2015, the federal government created the critical injury benefit, and Henry applied immediately, only to have his claim denied. Recently, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board overturned that decision and he is now the first veteran to receive the benefit for PTSD alone. “It’s a really big win for everybody, to now have a precedent-setting case for a path forward for mental health only — on the critical injury benefit — that never existed before,” Henry said. “It’s a shame that it did take this long. Those seven years of suffering, people could have had this benefit and changed their life seven years ago, or when they first put the benefit in. It didn’t need to be this discriminatory. This path should have been in place from the beginning.” Henry has lost many friends to suicide since coming back from Afghanistan, and two who recently died. “We’re missing two people that were entitled to this benefit … and how many more?” he said. “I’ve been to 20 funerals since getting home from Afghanistan.”
Reaching the final straw: Shedding light on alarming suicide trends and perceptions impacting women, girls, and young people stuck in limbo in Northwest Syria – OCHA Relief Web
December 7, 2022
Suicide rates are increasing among people living in the Northwest of Syria, around 4.6 million who were displaced due to the conflict in Syria and 80% of whom are women and children. Young people and young girls under 18 especially, are dying most often. Relief agencies have conducted a study to gain a better understanding of the mental health impacts of the protracted crisis and worsening soci-economic circumstances of those living in Northwest Syria, an isolated area. Study authors say, “Because of continuous instability, recurring displacements, poor living conditions and ongoing economic struggles, residents of Northwest Syria are not only suffering at the socio-economic levels, their mental health is also rapidly deteriorating.” Researcher Dan Romer, research director for the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, says their goal in this analysis was to “alert journalists and the public about this myth in the hopes that it will discourage repetition of this idea, since it serves no useful purpose, and may even have harmful effects if it produces contagion among those who might be in crisis and considering suicide over this period.”
Myth That Suicides Peak During the Holidays Could Cause Harm – Health Day
December 7, 2022
An analysis of American news stories about suicide during the holiday season has found that the media are still reporting incorrectly that suicide rates increase during this time. 56% of the 25 articles analyzed, published between November 15, 2021 and January 31, 2022, contained incorrect information that suicide rates are higher during the holidays. Dan Romer, research director for the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, says the goal of the analysis is to “alert journalists and the public about this myth in the hopes that it will discourage repetition of this idea, since it serves no useful purpose, and may even have harmful effects if it produces contagion among those who might be in crisis and considering suicide over this period.”
After suicides, lawmakers push for mental health resources for border agents – ABC News
December 7, 2022
**Content warning – use of the word ‘commit’** The Customs and Border Protection agency in the US has reported their highest numbers of suicides by border patrol agents for 2021. A new act, based on a similar effort modeled to address mental health issues in the US military, is being proposed by Republicans in an effort to support the mental health of border agents. Rep. Elissa Slotkin said, “The folks who are manning the southern border are bearing the brunt of our failed policies.” Proposed supports include communications campaigns promoting resources and on-site clinicians.
Suicide Attempts and Bullying Highest for Sexual Minority and Female Adolescents – Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
December 5, 2022
A new study has found that, in the US, sexual minority, American Indian, Alaskan Native, non-Hispanic Multiracial, and female adolescents have the highest risk of suicide attempts related to bullying victimization. These groups were also most likely to be bullied, online or offline. Study co-author Noah T. Kreski of Columbia Mailman School says, “Our results reflect the ongoing marginalization of vulnerable young people. Whether it’s due to sexism, racism, or homophobia, bullying persists as a mechanism by which groups are targeted and harmed.”
Examining variations in immigrants’ lower risk of suicide-related behaviours – Statistics Canada
December 1, 2022
Statistics Canada has released new data (including an infographic) on suicidal thoughts and deaths among immigrants in Canada. Their findings show that the suicide mortality rate is half the rate of the Canadian-born population, and immigrants are also less likely to have thoughts of suicide. Data comes from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) and the Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort. Study authors Fei-Ju Yang, Linlu Zhao, and Nicole Aitken note, “Long-term immigrants who have resided in Canada for more than 10 years typically have higher rates of suicide-related behaviours than recent immigrants, possibly as a result of prolonged exposure to post-migration-related stressors, including social isolation, discrimination, language barriers, and unemployment… and, the origins of immigrants to Canada are increasingly diverse…. one study found that… those born in Europe and Oceania had suicide rates similar to that of the Canadian-born population and those born in Asia and Africa had the lowest rates.”
Trudeau says assisted dying offers to veterans ‘unacceptable’ as cases mount – Global News
December 2, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that the federal government is working with Veterans Affairs Canada to ensure that medical assistance in dying (MAID) is not offered to veterans. Trudeau said, “We are following up with investigations and we are changing protocols to ensure what should seem obvious to all of us: that it is not the place of Veterans Affairs Canada, who are there to support those people who stepped up to serve their country, to offer them medical assistance in dying.”