Prevent youth suicide

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The final report of the Advisory Group on Suicide Prevention has been released, and is available online on the Health Canada Web site.

Acting on What We Know: Preventing Youth Suicide in First Nations puts forward a number of short-term and long- term recommendations aimed at addressing the high suicide rate among First Nations youth, which is five to six times higher than the rate among the general Canadian population.

The report was prepared by an eight-person panel at the request of the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Matthew Coon Come, and the former Minister of Health, Allan Rock.

The report includes recommendations aimed at increasing knowledge about what works in suicide prevention, developing more effective and integrated health care services at national, regional and local levels, supporting community-driven approaches to suicide prevention, and creating strategies for building resilience, identity and culture among First Nations youth.

"The recommendations in this report will assist in addressing the current epidemic of depression and despair among First Nations' youth," Coon Come said at the official release of the report.

To download a copy of the report, go to www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb/cp/publications/preventing_youth_suicide.htm.