Weekly News Roundup – September 12 – 18, 2016
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:
What does successful recovery look like? – Centre for Suicide Prevention
Sept. 10, 2016
Our publication release for World Suicide Prevention Day 2016 focuses on recovery as it pertains to mental health, addiction, and suicide. This editorial emphasizes that recovery is possible, and asks: what does successful recovery look like?
Survivor hopes tale of plunge from Golden Gate Bridge may steer others from that path – Calgary Herald
Sept. 13, 2016
Kevin Hines is in Calgary to emphasize that people who are suicidal do not want to die, and many feel instant regret after making the decision to end their lives (after an attempt). Mara Grunau notes that the Alberta suicide rate, while already high is increasing still.
Suicide survivor shares his experience to help others – CTV
Sept. 12, 2016
Kevin Hines talks about his attempted suicide, while Mara Grunau discusses the prevalence of the issue, and the fact that, like Kevin, people who attempt or die by suicide do not actually want to die – they want the pain of living to end.
Golden Gate Bridge suicide survivor spreads words of hope – Calgary Sun
Golden Gate Bridge suicide attempt survivor shares story in Calgary – CBC
Sept. 12, 2016
Suicide attempt survivor Kevin Hines instantly regretted jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge – and now he travels around the world telling his story of survival, and how he stays healthy.
Where to find school bullies? Not where you might expect – Globe and Mail
Sept. 17, 2016
Kathy Georgiades, a clinical psychologist at McMaster University, has found that children living in neighbourhoods with higher immigrant populations experienced “lower levels of emotional-behavioural problems” (like bullying) than kids living in predominantly non-immigrant neighbourhoods.
The new face of fentanyl addiction: Kati’s story – CBC
Sept. 17, 2016
This article looks at an individual account of fentanyl addiction. Kati Mather, 22, is living on the streets of Surrey, BC and is addicted to fentanyl. This account is an honest look at addiction, and recovery: “They expect you to stay clean on your own for three to eight months while you’re on a waiting list to get into a treatment centre,” Mather says. “How is that possible when you’re an addict? You call every day. I did it for three months — then I relapsed.”
Amelia Curran tackles stigma of suicide in new documentary – CBC
Sept. 16, 2016
A documentary that aired on CBC Newfoundland Sept. 17, produced by Amelia Currant, singer-songwriter, earnestly discussed the lives of people who have died by suicide. “When the death itself is very difficult, and very tragic, we forget that there are joyful and beautiful things to be remembered,” says Curran.
Province supports student mental health – Alberta Government
Sept. 15, 2016
The Province of Alberta has spent $3.6 million in 2016 that went to towards “mental health programming, education and student outreach efforts at Alberta campuses.” This includes hiring people like counsellors, social workers, and psychologists, and also went towards workshops, stress reduction events and peer support programs.
‘The need is there’: City committee approves suicide prevention strategy –Edmonton Journal
Sept. 12, 2016
Edmonton has approved a suicide prevention strategy that will span over 5 years. The strategy was prompted by calls to install suicide barriers on the High Level Bridge, a suicide hot-spot in the area.
Strong alcohol policies can help prevent suicide – ScienceDaily
Sept. 12, 2016
A new review in Research Society on Alcoholism looks at the relationship between alcohol policies and suicide, and it was found that “Better implementation of effective alcohol policies can reduce alcohol availability at a population level, which in turn, reduces the average risk of suicide, especially in those cases where alcohol is involved.”