Weekly News Roundup July 4 – 10, 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:
After a suicide, a security guard for the heart – New York Times
July 8, 2016
In this first-hand account of suicide bereavement and loss, a survivor of suicide loss, whose sister died by suicide, finds comfort after connecting with the security guard who saw her sister die and subsequently found her body. Likewise, the security guard found relief after discussing the incident with someone who knew the person who died while she was living.
20 veterans a day committed suicide in 2014, new data show – USA Today
July 7, 2016
The Department of Veterans Affairs in the US released figures that show a very slight decrease in the number of veteran suicides, numbers that, despite the decrease, are still much higher than those of the general population. In 2010, 22 veterans a day died by suicide, while in 2012, 20 a day died, with a total of 7,403 veteran suicides taking place that year. Younger (18-29) male veterans had the highest rate of suicide; 86 per 100,000. This is 4 times the rate of active-duty service members. Young female veterans had a rate of 33 per 100,000. The overall rate for suicides in the US is only 13 per 100,000.
Regular religious services tied to lowered suicide risk: study – Globe and Mail
July 6, 2016
The Nurses’ Health Study followed 90,000 women for more than 10 years and found that those who regularly attended religious services were much less likely to die by suicide than those who hadn’t. Protestant women were 3 times less likely to die by suicide, while Catholic women were 20 times less likely to kill themselves. It was found that generally, women who regularly attend religious services were more likely to have more social supports and were less likely to develop depression and consume alcohol. The fact that many religions believe that killing oneself is wrong may also be a factor but this was not able to be proven.
‘Big Day’ for Pimicikamak as federal government gives $40M for new hospital – CBC
July 6, 2016
Pimicikamak, a northern community in Manitoba, declared a suicide crisis in March 2016 after losing 6 people to suicide in the span of less than 5 months. Now, Pimicikamak is getting a new federally-funded hospital to help deal with the lack of physical and mental health services offered. Another $10 million will go towards other projects in Manitoba Indigenous communities, such as upgrades to alcohol and drug abuse treatment facilities.
What getting fired taught me about mental health – Refinery 29
July 5, 2016
After “being fired” by one of her patients, who felt that her regular visits only highlighted the negative aspects of her body and her life, a doctor realizes that focusing on mental health, and cultivating resilience in a patient is just as important as helping them with their physical problems.
Judge makes no recommendations in suicide at Edmonton Remand Centre – CBC
July 4, 2016
Donald Kushniruk, 49, was the first inmate to kill himself at the Edmonton Remand Centre shortly after it opened in early 2013. An inquiry into his death was recently released and made no recommendations to the Remand Centre regarding the prevention of further suicide deaths. Kushniruk’s ex-wife told reporters that he did not belong inside the justice system at all, as he was dealing with symptoms “consistent with paranoid schizophrenia.”