Action Plan Focuses on Promotion of Life and Prevention of Suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador

Press Release

June 1, 2022

Today, the Provincial Government launched Our Path of Resilience, a five-year action plan that includes 12 targeted actions and a commitment to improved monitoring, surveillance and research aimed at reducing the incidents of suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador. The action items focus on community mental health literacy and capacity building, as well as prevention, intervention and follow-up services for people impacted by suicide.

Reducing the incidence of suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador requires a strategic and concerted effort by the health, education, justice and social systems. The Provincial Government allocated $2.5 million in Budget 2022 to implement the plan, with a commitment of approximately $4.5 million annually for the next four years.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the rate of suicide increased by 234 per cent between 1981 and 2017. The majority of these individuals were living with a mental health issue or substance use disorder.

Our Path of Resilience fulfills a commitment made in Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador to develop a Life Promotion Suicide Prevention Plan, with a focus on reducing stigma and empowering communities to build resilience and inclusiveness.

The plan recognizes social determinants of health and their impact on individuals, families and communities, including the impact of intergenerational trauma. It focuses on an equity-based approach by all systems to foster health and healing.

The Life Promotion Suicide Prevention Working Group – which includes representatives from multiple government departments, community organizations, Indigenous partners and people with lived and living experience of suicide loss – worked collaboratively to develop the action plan. Extensive consultation for this plan included 24 targeted sessions across all regions of the province, as well as consultation with the Indigenous Health Team, Recovery Council and Advisory Council.

Implementation of this plan will be overseen by a provincial steering committee, which will include multiple government departments, community organizations, Indigenous partners, as well as individuals with experience of suicide attempt or loss.

Quotes
“We have made great strides in improving the quality and availability of mental health and addictions services over the past several years, but we recognize there is still work to do. We remain committed to working with communities to improve awareness of mental health concerns, reduce stigma for seeking help, and provide tools and supports needed to help people live healthy and well, thereby helping preventing deaths by suicide.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Labrador, in general, and the Indigenous communities of Labrador, in particular, have higher than average rates of suicide. Those lost lives, often young individuals, are tragedies beyond the capacity of words to express. I am hopeful about this plan, because its teams, including an Indigenous team, chaired by former Grand Chief of Innu Nation, Anastasia Qupee, have provided the wisdom for its actions. The actions of the plan must help end this loss of all too valuable lives.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

“Suicide is a leading cause of death in Innu communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Yet, despite the many tragedies our Peoples face when loved ones are lost to suicide, we still have hope. Our Path to Resilience is an action plan rooted in hope and focused on connections to people, land and culture. It reflects the wisdom of our communities and our paths to healing.”
Anastasia Qupee
Chair of Indigenous Health Team, Towards Recovery

“Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility, and connection with compassion is key. The actions in this plan will increase awareness and help build and strengthen our resilience as a community, as a province and as human beings. As someone who has worked in the field of life promotion and suicide prevention for nearly two decades, I am excited to see the support and the move forward with the implementation of the Path of Resilience.”
Tina Davies
President, Richard’s Legacy Foundation

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Our Path to Resilience

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Media contacts
Nancy Hollett
Health and Community Services
709-729-6554, 327-7878
nancyhollett@gov.nl.ca

Allan Bock
Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-896-7935, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca

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