Weekly News Roundup Mar 11 – 17, 2023
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Inquest jury ‘nailed’ recommendations, says mom of woman who died by suicide in psych unit – CBC
March 15, 2023
**Content and method warning: graphic description and discussion of means** Hillary Hooper, 27, died by suicide while she was a patient at a psychiatric hospital in New Brunswick. An inquest into her death has made numerous recommendations to the hospital to prevent future suicides, including recommendations on means reduction within the facility. Hooper’s mother Patty Borthwick was positive about the recommendations, “They got everything that we wanted… all the things that should make it impossible for someone to do what she did again…” Borthwick is also working with her local MLA on putting forward amendments to the Coroner’s Act which would automatically require an inquest after the death of a patient by suicide. Borthwick says, “…she’s not going to die in vain. There are going to be changes and there’s going to be a reason that this happened and she’s going to save lives. I honestly believe that.”
Manitoba First Nation declares state of emergency after fire at elders complex – National Post
March 13, 2023
Shamattawa First Nation is dealing with a mental health crisis following recent suicides. Chief Jordna Hill says there are few mental health supports in the northern Manitoba community, and that, “The effect of suicide is felt by everyone. They need a future. All they have is what they can see. They can’t see beyond the trees.” Shamattawa also recently declared a state of emergency after a fire destroyed destroyed a nine-unit apartment building, displacing dozens of people. At the time of the fire, Shamattawa’s only fire truck was in Winnipeg for repairs. Chief Hill is calling on the federal government for adequate fire prevention funding. Grand Chief Garrison Settee with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak said, “If it’s not suicide after suicide, it’s the burning of buildings without adequate resources to fight these fires, also overcrowded housing that is causing all kinds of mental and emotional issues.”
Approximately 1 in 6 Ottawa students in grades 7-12 considered suicide in the previous year: OPH report – Ottawa Citizen
March 11, 2023
Ottawa Public Health released a report findings that, in 2021, 16% of Ottawa students in grades 7 to 12 had thought about suicide in the past year. This is in contrast to 11% in 2018. Ben Leikin at Ottawa Public Health said, “The reality of the pandemic is it’s tough on youth. We want to acknowledge the resilience youth have shown during the pandemic… We know young people and families don’t know where to get help sometimes. This is such an important conversation to have at home and reduce the stigma.”
Eating disorders are deadly: What are they, who’s at risk, and what can be done about – The Conversation
March 10, 2023
People experiencing eating disorders have a suicide rate six times higher than the general population, and are five times more likely to attempt suicide. Treatment can be effective for people with eating disorders, though. Treatment for anorexia calls for an approach that addresses medical, nutritional, social, and psychological aspecs of the disorder. Cognitive behavioural therapy is one treatment among these approaches that can help people identify, challenge, and change unhelpful thought patterns, and which has shown to be effective. The authors of this article say, “There is hope. Increasing awareness of eating disorders helps break the stigma and encourages people to get help.”