September 10th, 2022, is World Suicide Prevention Day. Throughout September, CIPSRT is focused on supporting suicide reduction efforts through education and awareness. We are sharing what we know about suicide among Public Safety Personnel (PSP), and encouraging PSP across the country to learn more about supporting themselves and their co-workers.
Remember, if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, there are people you can talk to:
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSC) 1-833-456-4566
• Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSC) in Quebec 1-866-APPELLE
Suicide is one of the top ten causes of death in Canada1. Research results have indicated that individuals who work in public safety personnel organizations experience more incidents of suicidal behaviours (thoughts, plans, attempts) than the general population2,3.
Understanding Suicide in PSP
Dr. Simon Hatcher, lead researcher on the project, “Suicide among public safety personnel compared to the general population in Ontario: A case-control study,” shared with CIPSRT what researchers know about PSP and suicide. View a 5 minute video below.
Interested in learning more? Watch the full presentation with Dr. Hatcher.
In addition to the videos above, CIPSRT has created a PSP Suicide Fact Sheet to outline the unique challenges faced by PSP. Click the image to access the fact sheet.
Supporting PSP
Suicidal behaviours are higher among people who are experiencing mental health issues1, including PSP who are experiencing mental health issues3. The first person to notice someone is struggling with a mental health challenge is often a co-worker. Accordingly, CIPSRT has developed the guide “How to support a co-worker experiencing mental health issues.”
Research on PSP Suicide
Click the links below to access summaries of this research.
Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among public safety personnel in Canada.
Mental disorders, suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among Canadian Police.
Correctional Work: Reflections regarding suicide.
Association between a history of child abuse and suicidal ideation, plans and attempts among Canadian public safety personnel: A cross-sectional survey.
Page references
1- Mental Health Commission of Canada. Suicide Prevention. Retrieved August 16th, 2022, https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/what-we-do/suicide-prevention/
2- Carleton, R. N., Afifi, T.O., Turner, S., Taillieu, T., LeBouthiller, D.M., Duranceau, S., Sareen, J., Ricciardelli, R., MacPhee, R. S., Groll, D., Hozempa, K., Brunet, A., Weekes, J. R., Griffiths, C. T., Abrams, K.J., Jones, N. A., Beshai, S., Cramm, H. A., Dobson, K. S., Hatcher, S., Keane, T. M., Stewart, S. H., & Asmundson, G. J. G. (2018). Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among public safety personnel in Canada. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 59(3), 220-231. doi: 10.1037/cap0000136
3- Di Nota, P.M., Anderson, G.S., Ricciardelli, R., Carleton, R.N. & Groll, D. (2020). Mental disorders, suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among Canadian Police. Occupational Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqaa026