Essay On Suicide In Canada

Background of issue:

Canada’s Indigenous population, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, comprises 4.3% of the general population. Suicide among Indigenous youth in Canada is a nationwide crisis that has been brought to public attention not only by recent media coverage, but also declarations from individual communities, and is apparent in national statistics dating back more than a decade. (Health Canada, 2002, p.111) Despite this, Indigenous communities have and continue to display resilience as shown through various community-led suicide prevention initiatives.

In an isolated Cree community just outside of Ontario, Canada declared state of emergency over the series of suicides by Indigenous youth in the spring of 2016.

In regards to the Indigenous population and the continually growing suicide rate of Indigenous youth. (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2016)

In December of 2012, the Canadian government enforced the “An Act respecting a Federal Framework for Suicide”; which later because a response to the Progress Report on the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention which was published in 2016. The report focuses on how the Canadian government will raise awareness for mental health and reduce the stigma associated with suicide. Stated in the report, the Government of Canada pledged to take action towards First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada; establishing Hope for Wellness help line in 2016 and funding the expansion of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Naitonal Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy.

In June of 2016, the federal government invested $69 million over three years to create additional mental health teams for indigenous communities and crisis intervention teams in Ontario. The funding created thirty-two mental health and wellness teams and facilities within First Nation communities; in hopes this will create a long-term support