Harper Government Invests In Suicide Prevention
For immediate release -2012-02
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador (January 10, 2012) – Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, today announced funding for an initiative that aims to prevent suicide by rapidly gathering the best research on suicide prevention and making it available to community members and leaders who can put this information swiftly into action.
“This week I’ve had the chance to meet with elders and community leaders in Aboriginal communities across Labrador, and far too many of them spoke of the shattered lives and pain caused in communities due to suicide,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “The aim of this initiative is ultimately to help save lives by identifying the most effective approaches to preventing suicide, particularly among high risk groups such as Aboriginal youth.”The initiative is being carried out through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Evidence on Tap program. Through a competitive, peer-reviewed process, CIHR will support teams of researchers that will review and analyze research evidence from across the globe on suicide prevention.
“Recently in the House of Commons, members of all parties shared personal stories of how suicide had touched their lives personally,” added Minister Penashue. “Today’s announcement is another example of concrete investments being made by our government to help reduce suicide.”
Teams will be asked to specifically examine research on school and community-based approaches to suicide prevention, the role of media in preventing suicide, and interventions that focus on people at high risk for suicide. The teams will have six months to carry their work. They will be required to submit a report to CIHR and to hold a workshop to share their findings with stakeholders.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada’s health research investment agency. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
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Further information:
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
613-957-0200
David Coulombe
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563
Cory Hann
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
And President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada
613-943-1838
