Getting Serious About Suicide Prevention

	Tweet

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in Canada ahead of HIV/AIDS, diabetes and car accidents. It is also a prevalent problem within Aboriginal communities. With World Suicide Prevention Day approaching on September 10, 2006, two experts from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) are available to comment on the health challenges posed by suicide, its causes and possible prevention strategies.

“One important factor that predisposes individuals to commit suicide is mental illness,” says Dr. Re’mi Quirion, based in Montreal, and Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (CIHR-INMHA). “Of the many mental disorders associated with suicidal behaviour, depression is the most common. Two-thirds of those who die as a result of suicide have some form of depression.”

“In Canada, suicide rates in the Aboriginal population are significantly higher than the non-Aboriginal rates. Among First Nations youth, this rate is estimated to be five to six times higher,” explains Dr. Jeff Reading, based in Victoria, and Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health (CIHR-IAPH). “Suicide in Aboriginal communities is a sensitive issue. We have known for some time now that First Nation, Me’tis and Inuit communities need to be involved in determining the most effective interventions needed to address specific health needs.”

Although we have a fairly good understanding of the causes and factors behind suicidal behaviour, we still have to work at developing effective prevention strategies, policies, programs and services. Research supported by CIHR is the key to unlocking new means of reducing suicides.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada’s agency for health research. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

RELATED STORIES:
People who have had head injuries report more violent behavior   Bipolar Disorder in Children Difficult to Diagnose   Apathy and Depression Predict Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia   Men experience domestic violence, with health impact   Long stint off the job can be depressing   Increased Depression, Burden, Reported in Family Caregivers of ALS Patients   Lung rehab benefits COPD patients   Children with Autism Have Difficulty Recognizing Ordinary Words   Teen depression, smoking hard on the bones   Pamelor, Zoloft relieve postpartum depression   C-sections have no effect on depression—study   Children with Bipolar Disorder Focus on Different Facial Features   Vets & Depression: Return from War to Fight New Battle   Wearable Technology Helps Monitor Mental Illness   Women Who Had Abortions Report More Drug Abuse and Depression

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]