Bill C-593

3rd Session, 40th Parliament,

59 Elizabeth II, 2010

house of commons of canada

BILL C-593

An Act respecting a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

Whereas suicide is a complex problem involving biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors, and can be influenced by societal attitudes and conditions;

Whereas Canadians want to reduce suicide and its impact in Canada, and suicide prevention is everyone's responsibility;

Whereas suicide is preventable by knowledge, care and compassion, and concerted action by committed communities, governments, organizations and resources across Canada will go a long way toward preventing death by suicide and assisting, educating and comforting those who have been affected by suicidal behaviours;

Whereas suicide is a significant public-health issue in Canada and entails a social cost, because grief and trauma have long-term and devastating effects on individuals and communities;

Whereas a national strategy that is designed to mobilize policies and services and to affect public attitudes towards suicide and its prevention is in the interest of all Canadians;

And whereas the Government of Canada, in consultation with the ministers responsible for the delivery of health services in each province and territory and the national representative organizations of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, is encouraging the development of a national strategy for suicide prevention;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Act.

NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

2. The Government of Canada shall establish a national strategy for suicide prevention that includes

(a) the creation of a national medical surveillance program for the prevention of suicide and identification of risk groups;

(b) a study of the funding arrangements to provide the treatment, education, professional training and other supports required to prevent suicide and assist those bereaved by a suicide;

(c) the establishment of national guidelines for best practices in suicide prevention based on evidence in key areas of mental health care;

(d) the creation of programs to identify gaps in knowledge relating to suicide and its prevention;

(e) the use of community- and culture-based knowledge for suicide prevention activities;

(f) a study on the means to reduce stigma associated with being a consumer of mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention, intervention and bereavement services;

(g) the assessment of access to appropriate and adequate health, wellness and recovery services, including mental health and substance abuse services, for all Canadians, as well as for families and communities;

(h) a study on the reduction of access to means and methods for people to harm themselves;

(i) a study on the development of media knowledge of suicide; and

(j) the establishment of national standards for the training of persons engaged in suicide prevention, whose contact with potentially vulnerable populations provides an opportunity to identify at-risk individuals and direct them to appropriate assessment and treatment.

3. Within 120 days after the day on which this section comes into force, the Government of Canada shall consult with the ministers responsible for the delivery of health services in each province and territory and the national representative organizations of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis people to inquire into, develop and report on a national strategy for suicide prevention under this Act.

REPORT

4. The Government of Canada shall prepare a report on the national strategy for suicide prevention within one year after the conclusion of the consultations undertaken under section 3.

5. The Government of Canada shall cause a copy of the report made under section 4 to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first 90 days on which that House is sitting after the Government of Canada receives it.