Weekly News Roundup Oct 1-7, 2022
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‘Incredibly important work’: Feds announce more funding for suicide prevention among Inuit – CBC
October 6, 2022
The federal government is providing $11 million in funding to the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy, created in 2016 by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). ITK president Natan Obed said, “Every last Inuk across this country has a connection with suicide. We all have lost family members and friends, important people in our community. So this money and this focus from the Government of Canada is very much appreciated, but also is something that is necessary.”
‘Alarming’ number of suicides in N.W.T. prompts coroner to release data earlier than usual – CBC
October 3, 2022
Last week, the Northwest Territories’ chief coroner released early data on suicide deaths in the past 21 months. Chief Coroner Garth Eggenberger said, “The statistics, once we started looking at them, alarmed us quite a bit. Even though we’re not finished the year yet, I felt it was necessary to release the figures early so that there could be a response, hopefully in time for this year to keep the numbers down as much as we can.” Suicide deaths “were up dramatically” in one region in particular. “We decided that [the numbers] were alarming enough that we wanted a response from the territory, government, federal government, local government, even the families themselves … to really highlight these deaths and to look at some way of mitigating the effects of this,” said Eggenberger.
Related – N.W.T. gov’t needs to reckon with issues contributing to suicides of young people, says health minister – CBC
People with recent dementia diagnosis found to have higher suicide risk – The Guardian
October 3, 2022
A recent study has found that people who have recently received a dementia diagnosis, or who are diagnosed at a younger age, have an increased suicide risk. “What it tells us is that period immediately after diagnosis is when people really need support from the services that provide the diagnosis,” said Dr Charles Marshall, co-author of the research.
‘Brand new way to treat patients’: Ketamine injections approved for Alberta’s community facilities – CTV News
October 3, 2022
Community facilities with in-house anesthesiologists and psychiatrists have been approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) to offer Ketamine to patients. Andrea Daye has been experiencing depression on and off for years, and said that Ketamine has helped her manage her depression. Daye used Ketamine treatments from June to August and says, “I feel amazing today. Mental health is a journey that goes up and down and zig-zags, but the Ketamine really helped. It is a catalyst and an extremely effective catalyst, more effective than anything I have ever done before.” Dr. Craig Pearce, president of anesthesia for the Alberta Medical Association, and medical director at SABI Mind, a private psychedelic therapy clinic says, “I’m really excited to be on this new frontier, and a brand new way to treat patients.” Pearce lost his best friend to suicide 27 years ago, and he hopes to help others who may be experiencing distress. “If this is an opportunity for me to help rescue and save someone else who has that type of affliction or concern and improve their life, then I’m going to jump at it,” said Pearce.
We need to talk about suicide – Farming Life
October 2, 2022
Dairy farmer Peter Hynes is an advocate for mental health in the agriculture industry, and uses his own personal experience to help educate people about mental health and break down stigma around help seeking. “I think life just got on top of me without me realising it… I lost all control of my feelings at the time and would end up crying for absolutely no reason,”said Hynes. Eventually, Hynes’ wife Paula persuaded him to go see their doctor together, who referred Hynes to a counsellor. “The first day I went to see her, after one hour session it was just like a huge relief that I had found someone that I could talk to, who understood me and could help me figure out things. Coming out the door that day it was like how fast can I go back.” Hynes talks about how he manages his mental health despite busy periods of work – “I know once the first cow calves, I have four busy weeks ahead of me and the end is in sight the day we start.” Hynes and his wife plan a few days to recharge and enjoy quality time, even when it’s busy at the farm, and they make sure to communicate openly about any issues.
Suicide is complicated. So is prevention. – LA Times
October 2, 2022
This article discusses the complexity of suicide and suicide prevention, exploring the impact of suicide, why some people consider suicide, and how these suicides can be prevented. The article’s author, a person who has lived experience with suicide, Madalyn Amato, writes, “The reasons someone dies by suicide are just as unique as they are — which makes prevention and prediction a model, not a science.”
Can Smartphones Help Predict Suicide? – New York Times
September 30, 2022
**Subscribers only** This article discusses how technology can be used to prevent suicide, specifically, by using a person’s smartphone data. Katelin Cruz participated in a research study following discharge from a psychiatric unit – according to the article, a ‘notoriously difficult period’ where suicide rates increase to 15 times the national US rate. The study involved tracking data from a mood tracker on her smartphone and her Fitbit. Researcher Matthew K. Nock explains that this data could be helpful in warning caregivers when a recently discharged patient could be at risk of suicide. One example of how the data collection could help flag suicide risk: “The sensor reports that a patient’s sleep is disturbed, she reports a low mood on questionnaires and GPS shows she is not leaving the house. But an accelerometer on her phone shows that she is moving around a lot, suggesting agitation. The algorithm flags the patient. A ping sounds on a dashboard. And, at just the right time, a clinician reaches out with a phone call or a message.” There is doubt surrounding the efficacy of these early warning system algorithms, however. Nick Allen, the director of the Cener for Digital Mental Health at the University of Oregon says, “It’s certainly not an easily solvable problem. It’s probably, in some senses, not a solvable problem, for the same reason that we have school shootings and the same reason that we can’t predict a lot of this kind of stuff. You know, the math is just really daunting.”
Changing the Culture of Suicide Care – The Tyee
September 27, 2022
The province of BC is investing $2 million towards suicide prevention, specifically, the development of a new suicide and self-harm training system for healthcare workers.“We’re supporting health professionals so they have the tools they need to provide th‘Incredibly important work’: Feds announce more funding for suicide prevention among Inuit – CBC
October 6, 2022
The federal government is providing $11 million in funding to the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy, created in 2016 by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). ITK president Natan Obed said, “Every last Inuk across this country has a connection with suicide. We all have lost family members and friends, important people in our community. So this money and this focus from the Government of Canada is very much appreciated, but also is something that is necessary.”
Make suicide prevention in Africa a priority, UN health agency urges governments – UN News
October 6, 2022
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa has some of the highest suicide rates in the world – six of the top 10 countries in the world with the highest rates are in Africa – and WHO has launched a social media campaign hoping to raise awareness of this issue. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said that suicide prevention is “rarely a priority” in national health programs. Dr. Moeti is calling for “significant investment…to tackle Africa’s growing burden of chronic diseases and non-infectious conditions – such as mental disorders – that can contribute to suicide.”
Constance Wu Opens Up About Her Time in a Psychiatric Hospital Following a Suicide Attempt – Vanity Fair
October 5, 2022
**Method warning** Constance Wu is opening up once again about her suicide attempt. In a social media post from July, Wu talked about her attempt publicly for the first time, and again in the latest episode of Red Table Talk. Wu experienced bullying on social media after expressing relief that the sitcom she starred in wasn’t renewed for another season. Recently, Wu said that she faced “sexual harassment and intimidation” on the set, and, following negativity and bullying on social media, she became suicidal and was admitted to hospital, followed by therapy with both a psychiatrist and psychologist every day for a period of time. “It was helpful. I needed it. I was unsafe at that point. I was in a mental place of just beating myself and so much shame and just feeling like—feeling like I didn’t deserve to live. Feeling like the world hated me. Feeling like I ruined everything for everyone. Maybe I did for some people but, you know, you make mistakes. Right?” said Wu.
‘Alarming’ number of suicides in N.W.T. prompts coroner to release data earlier than usual – CBC
October 3, 2022
Last week, the Northwest Territories’ chief coroner released early data on suicide deaths in the past 21 months. Chief Coroner Garth Eggenberger said, “The statistics, once we started looking at them, alarmed us quite a bit. Even though we’re not finished the year yet, I felt it was necessary to release the figures early so that there could be a response, hopefully in time for this year to keep the numbers down as much as we can.” Suicide deaths “were up dramatically” in one region in particular. “We decided that [the numbers] were alarming enough that we wanted a response from the territory, government, federal government, local government, even the families themselves … to really highlight these deaths and to look at some way of mitigating the effects of this,” said Eggenberger.
Related – N.W.T. gov’t needs to reckon with issues contributing to suicides of young people, says health minister – CBC
People with recent dementia diagnosis found to have higher suicide risk – The Guardian
October 3, 2022
A recent study has found that people who have recently received a dementia diagnosis, or who are diagnosed at a younger age, have an increased suicide risk. “What it tells us is that period immediately after diagnosis is when people really need support from the services that provide the diagnosis,” said Dr Charles Marshall, co-author of the research.
‘Brand new way to treat patients’: Ketamine injections approved for Alberta’s community facilities – CTV News
October 3, 2022
Community facilities with in-house anesthesiologists and psychiatrists have been approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) to offer Ketamine to patients. Andrea Daye has been experiencing depression on and off for years, and said that Ketamine has helped her manage her depression. Daye used Ketamine treatments from June to August and says, “I feel amazing today. Mental health is a journey that goes up and down and zig-zags, but the Ketamine really helped. It is a catalyst and an extremely effective catalyst, more effective than anything I have ever done before.” Dr. Craig Pearce, president of anesthesia for the Alberta Medical Association, and medical director at SABI Mind, a private psychedelic therapy clinic says, “I’m really excited to be on this new frontier, and a brand new way to treat patients.” Pearce lost his best friend to suicide 27 years ago, and he hopes to help others who may be experiencing distress. “If this is an opportunity for me to help rescue and save someone else who has that type of affliction or concern and improve their life, then I’m going to jump at it,” said Pearce.
We need to talk about suicide – Farming Life
October 2, 2022
Dairy farmer Peter Hynes is an advocate for mental health in the agriculture industry, and uses his own personal experience to help educate people about mental health and break down stigma around help seeking. “I think life just got on top of me without me realising it… I lost all control of my feelings at the time and would end up crying for absolutely no reason,”said Hynes. Eventually, Hynes’ wife Paula persuaded him to go see their doctor together, who referred Hynes to a counsellor. “The first day I went to see her, after one hour session it was just like a huge relief that I had found someone that I could talk to, who understood me and could help me figure out things. Coming out the door that day it was like how fast can I go back.” Hynes talks about how he manages his mental health despite busy periods of work – “I know once the first cow calves, I have four busy weeks ahead of me and the end is in sight the day we start.” Hynes and his wife plan a few days to recharge and enjoy quality time, even when it’s busy at the farm, and they make sure to communicate openly about any issues.
Suicide is complicated. So is prevention. – LA Times
October 2, 2022
This article discusses the complexity of suicide and suicide prevention, exploring the impact of suicide, why some people consider suicide, and how these suicides can be prevented. The article’s author, a person who has lived experience with suicide, Madalyn Amato, writes, “The reasons someone dies by suicide are just as unique as they are — which makes prevention and prediction a model, not a science.”
Can Smartphones Help Predict Suicide? – New York Times
September 30, 2022
**Subscribers only** This article discusses how technology can be used to prevent suicide, specifically, by using a person’s smartphone data. Katelin Cruz participated in a research study following discharge from a psychiatric unit – according to the article, a ‘notoriously difficult period’ where suicide rates increase to 15 times the national US rate. The study involved tracking data from a mood tracker on her smartphone and her Fitbit. Researcher Matthew K. Nock explains that this data could be helpful in warning caregivers when a recently discharged patient could be at risk of suicide. One example of how the data collection could help flag suicide risk: “The sensor reports that a patient’s sleep is disturbed, she reports a low mood on questionnaires and GPS shows she is not leaving the house. But an accelerometer on her phone shows that she is moving around a lot, suggesting agitation. The algorithm flags the patient. A ping sounds on a dashboard. And, at just the right time, a clinician reaches out with a phone call or a message.” There is doubt surrounding the efficacy of these early warning system algorithms, however. Nick Allen, the director of the Cener for Digital Mental Health at the University of Oregon says, “It’s certainly not an easily solvable problem. It’s probably, in some senses, not a solvable problem, for the same reason that we have school shootings and the same reason that we can’t predict a lot of this kind of stuff. You know, the math is just really daunting.”
Changing the Culture of Suicide Care – The Tyee
September 27, 2022
The province of BC is investing $2 million towards suicide prevention, specifically, the development of a new suicide and self-harm training system for healthcare workers.“We’re supporting health professionals so they have the tools they need to provide the best possible care for people,” Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson. “Research shows that discharge from psychiatric inpatient care is a period of high risk for suicide. That’s why we’re bringing together best practices, screening assessments and other resources to care settings like emergency departments like right here.” CMHA BC is taking a lead role in implementing the new framework. CMHA BC CEO Jonathan Morris said the framework is inspired by the Zero Suicide model, which has been used in some US healthcare systems and has led to decreases in suicide deaths.e best possible care for people,” Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson. “Research shows that discharge from psychiatric inpatient care is a period of high risk for suicide. That’s why we’re bringing together best practices, screening assessments and other resources to care settings like emergency departments like right here.” CMHA BC is taking a lead role in implementing the new framework. CMHA BC CEO Jonathan Morris said the framework is inspired by the Zero Suicide model, which has been used in some US healthcare systems and has led to decreases in suicide deaths.
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