Suicide in Canada

The Canadian National Task Force on Suicide found that suicide rates in Canada, especially among youth, exceed those in other countries around the world, including the United States. Health care professionals and social service providers identify suicide as one of the most important areas in which they need information. Yet, there has been little change in public policies, and support for research is lacking. Compiled by Canada's leading experts on suicide, this collection provides long-awaited information that focuses specifically on Canada. It addresses suicide as a multi-dimensional problem with biological, psychological, cultural, sociological, personal, and philosophical aspects. The contributions integrate both critical analysis and personal experience. There are accounts from Inuit elders, from women who have survived the loss of a family member, and from workers at a crisis line. Among the topics covered are the development of suicide prevention; theory and research; First Nations and Inuit peoples; family, community, and government approaches; distress centres; survivors; and the debate over the right to die. Suicide in Canada does more than simply describe the recent developments in suicidology in Canada - it is a call for action that will save lives. It will be of immediate use to psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, crisis workers, and researchers. CONTENTS FOREWORD PREFACE Part I: History 1 History: Vignettes of the Development in Suicide Prevention Part II: Epidemiology and the Canadian Scene 2 The Epidemiology of Suicide in Canada 3 Epidemiology of Suicide, Parasuicide, and Suicidal Ideation in Quebec 4 Immigrant Suicide in Canada 5 Suicide in Canada and the United States: A Societal Comparison Part III: Theory and Research 6 Pain, Depression, and Suicide 7 Attempted Suicide in Edmonton 8 Correlates of Suicidal Ideation: Personal Variables, Stress, and Social Support Part IV: First Nations and Inuit 9 Suicide in First Nations People 10 Stories of Distress and Healing: Inuit Elders on Suicide 11 Suicide among the Inuit of Canada 12 Coping with Northern Aboriginal Youths' Suicides Part V: Family, Community, and Government Approaches 13 Suicide and the Family in Canada 14 Suicide Prevention in Rural Communities: 'Designing a Way Forward' 15 Suicide Prevention in Canada: Work in Progress Part VI: Youth Suicide, Schools, and Communities 16 Comprehensive Youth Suicide Prevention: A Model for Understanding 17 Youth Suicide Prevention in Schools and Community: A Progress Report 18 Suicide Postvention: Cultural Issues Part VII: Distress Centres 19 Crisis Intervention: Distress-Centre Model 20 Crisis Lines, Telephone Technology, and Confidentiality 21 Kamatsiaqtut, Baffin Crisis Line: Community Ownership of Support in a Small Town Part VIII: Survivors 22 My Story: Thoughts of a Survivor 23 'I Can't Hear the Music' 24 After Suicide: Reweaving the Web 25 Women as Survivors of Suicide: An Experience of Integration Part IX: The Right to Die 26 A Coroner's View Regarding the 'Right to Die' Debate 27 The Right to Die and the Right to Live: Perspectives on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide 28 Suicide, Euthanasia, and Assisted Suicide CONTRIBUTORS INDEX A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z Unicef Has Declared "Suicide In Canada" to Be 'A Major Tragedy.' The National Task Force on Suicide found that suicide rates, especially among youth, exceed rates in other countries around the world, including the United States. Health care professionals and social service providers identify suicide as one of the most important areas in which they need information. Yet, there has been little action to implement recommendations, and support for research is lacking.Suicide in Canada will be of immediate use to psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, crisis workers, and researchers.