The BC Coroners Service (BCCS) has released a report which identifies several ways to reduce the number of suicide deaths among youth and young adults.
The report was titled Creating Connection, Supporting Strengths: A Review of Youth and Young Adult Deaths by Suicide In British Columbia and it looks at suicide death data spanning from 2019 to 2023.
This report was conducted by a death-review panel, seeking to analyze data on suicides among young British Columbians, and offer recommendations to reduce the number of these deaths.
In conducting the report, the panel reviewed the deaths of 435 young people in BC.
According to BCCS, suicide is the second most prevalent cause of death among children and youth in the province, and the third-leading cause of death among adults aged 19-29 years.
“This report contains realistic, actionable recommendations that, when implemented, will improve life for all young British Columbians,” said Ryan Panton, chair of the death-review panel.
“We know that losing a young life to suicide is devastating for friends, families and communities, and these actions will help reduce the risk, while supporting better mental-health outcomes.”
The report included five recommendations intended to prevent future deaths by suicide and improve public health and safety for youth and young adults in BC.
Below are the recommendations to the BC government offered by the panel:
- Create and implement a provincial suicide-risk-reduction framework specifically focused on youth and young adults
- Improve data collection, information sharing and reporting processes to support diverse communities across BC
- Review existing social and emotional health-related resources, ensuring they meet the needs of school-age students
- Create an educational model to ensure doctors, nurses, paramedics and other emergency medical professionals are appropriately trained in noticing early signs of those who may be at high-risk of suicide death
- Co-develop a “third spaces” strategy to create venues for young people to develop and maintain connections in their communities
“I want to thank the panel for its efforts to create recommendations that will create positive change across our province,” said Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, chief coroner, BCCS.
“Deaths by suicide are preventable, and it is up to all of us to ensure that young people have the support they need, when they need it, to navigate the challenges of life. I am confident that this report will help ensure those supports are available and accessible to all.”
BCCS urges those experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide, to call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433).
