suicide

Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Todd Doherty speaks in the House Of Commons. (Hansard image)

‘9-8-8 is going to save lives’: B.C. MP on new suicide crisis helpline

Federal government launched the hotline in response to Todd Doherty’s longstanding mission

 

As of Thursday, people having suicidal thoughts or other mental health distress can call or text 988 to reach a trained responder no matter where they live in Canada. A person uses a cellphone in Ottawa on Monday, July 18, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada launches round-the-clock 988 suicide crisis helpline

‘It’s explicitly a suicide prevention service and responders are trained in suicide prevention’

 

Turkish policemen and security forces cordon off an area next to a car after an explosion in Ankara, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in the heart of the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Sunday, hours before parliament was scheduled to reopen after a summer recess. A second assailant was killed in a shootout with police. (Yavuz Ozden/Dia Images via AP)

Suicide bomber detonates device in Turkey hours before presidential speech

Two police officers were slightly wounded

 

Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline, which is expected to launch Nov. 30. Bennett rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Mental health minister puts $156M toward fall launch of 988 crisis hotline

Free trained responders will be available to help starting at the end of November

Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett says the government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline, which is expected to launch Nov. 30. Bennett rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Alysha Gill, seen in an undated handout photo, says she was in and out of hospitals for anxiety and depression but did not get much say in her care so she’s hoping new standards introduced by the Health Standards Organization will help empower people when it comes to their own mental health. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Alysha Gill

Mental health, addiction, suicide prevention standards introduced in Canada

Health Standards Organization says aim is to improve care, meet needs of Canadians

Alysha Gill, seen in an undated handout photo, says she was in and out of hospitals for anxiety and depression but did not get much say in her care so she’s hoping new standards introduced by the Health Standards Organization will help empower people when it comes to their own mental health. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Alysha Gill
Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)

VPD officer urged hospital to keep Const. Nicole Chan on night she died: inquiry

Officer said he was concerned Chan would harm herself if she was returned home

Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)
Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)

Inquiry hears details on Vancouver Const. Nicole Chan’s final day from eyes of her boyfriend

Chan’s former boyfriend testified at the coroner’s inquest Wednesday

Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)
Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)

Const. Nicole Chan had history with suicide prior to VPD hiring her, inquest hears

Applicants with suicidal history almost never hired, Vancouver police psychologist testifies

Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)
Jennifer Chan, front left, the sister of late Vancouver Police Const. Nicole Chan, who died by suicide in 2019, leaves a coroner’s inquest, in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VPD Const. Nicole Chan pleaded for ‘justice’ in victim statement before suicide

Ongoing coroner’s inquest is examining the facts around Chan’s 2019 death

Jennifer Chan, front left, the sister of late Vancouver Police Const. Nicole Chan, who died by suicide in 2019, leaves a coroner’s inquest, in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The BC Coroner’s Office reports that there were 582 suicide deaths investigated in B.C. in 2021, down from 597 in 2020 and 634 in 2019. In Canada, men account for 75% of suicides. (File photo)

$2M in funding announced for care plan to help those at risk of suicide in B.C.

The investment is part of a larger strategy, A Pathway to Hope, to improve mental-health care

The BC Coroner’s Office reports that there were 582 suicide deaths investigated in B.C. in 2021, down from 597 in 2020 and 634 in 2019. In Canada, men account for 75% of suicides. (File photo)
Cariboo—Prince George MP Todd Doherty emotionally shared the news on his Facebook page Wednesday, Aug. 31, from the parking lot of Canadian Tire in Prince George. (Facebook)

988: National suicide prevention hotline coming November 2023

Cariboo Prince George MP Todd Doherty tearfully shared the news on Facebook

Cariboo—Prince George MP Todd Doherty emotionally shared the news on his Facebook page Wednesday, Aug. 31, from the parking lot of Canadian Tire in Prince George. (Facebook)
Aydin Coban is shown in this handout photo from the time of his arrest by Dutch police, entered into an exhibit at his trial in British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster, B.C.. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-DUTCH POLICE **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Amanda Todd said ‘pedophile’ had been blackmailing her for years: Crown

Dutchman Aydin Coban has pleaded not guilty to extortion, harassment charges

Aydin Coban is shown in this handout photo from the time of his arrest by Dutch police, entered into an exhibit at his trial in British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster, B.C.. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-DUTCH POLICE **MANDATORY CREDIT**
The Vancouver Police Department is among 11 defendants being sued by the family of a Vancouver police officer who took her own life in January 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Family of Vancouver cop who died by suicide suing police department, former officers

Lawsuit claims workplace sexual assault, negligence increased Const. Nicole Chan’s mental distress

The Vancouver Police Department is among 11 defendants being sued by the family of a Vancouver police officer who took her own life in January 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Thomas Ambrose (right) was supported by his nephew and a host of other family and friends during the first annual “Wish You Were Here - Edie Ambrose suicide awareness ride” on April 23. (Submitted by Thomas Ambrose)

Training ride takes on bigger meaning for Cowichan cyclist

From Duncan to Tofino in memory of a daughter lost to suicide

Thomas Ambrose (right) was supported by his nephew and a host of other family and friends during the first annual “Wish You Were Here - Edie Ambrose suicide awareness ride” on April 23. (Submitted by Thomas Ambrose)
Alberta resident Rocky Whitford was found dead inside a GR Baker Hospital bathroom due to an apparent suicide on May 13. (Submitted Photo)

Widow of man in mental health distress questions Cariboo hospital protocol

Warning: This story contains details about suicide that may be distressing.

Alberta resident Rocky Whitford was found dead inside a GR Baker Hospital bathroom due to an apparent suicide on May 13. (Submitted Photo)
Black Press Media file

Port Hardy RCMP officers plunge into ocean to save woman from drowning

Pair of Mounties acted quickly to rescue distraught woman

Black Press Media file
A memorial erected in honour of Langford teen Andre Courtemanche sits at the base of the Niagara Falls. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Family of Andre Courtemanche launches 10K walk, jog in teen’s honour

Andre died in January after years of depression, anxiety and bullying

  • Apr 1, 2021
A memorial erected in honour of Langford teen Andre Courtemanche sits at the base of the Niagara Falls. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Numerous signs reading “There’s always hope” have been installed at the Goldstream Trestle, following the death of Andre Courtemanche. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

‘There’s always hope’ signs added along Goldstream Trestle

Langford teen, Andre Courtemanche’s, body found near trestle Jan. 9

Numerous signs reading “There’s always hope” have been installed at the Goldstream Trestle, following the death of Andre Courtemanche. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Signage for the Distress Centre in Calgary, Alta., is shown on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Distress Centre Calgary says suicide-related calls, texts and chats were up 66 per cent in October compared with the same month in 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

‘Dealing with a lot:’ Suicide crisis calls mount during COVID-19 pandemic

People in crisis call a centralized line, which routes them to a distress centre in their community

Signage for the Distress Centre in Calgary, Alta., is shown on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Distress Centre Calgary says suicide-related calls, texts and chats were up 66 per cent in October compared with the same month in 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A study led by UBC psychiatry professor Dr. Sophia Frangou, published on Mar. 12, 2020, found that children with psychological problems, children exposed to family conflict and children who spend more time using digital devices were more likely to report suicidal thoughts. (PxHere)

Study led by B.C. prof finds 8% of school-age children have thought about or attempted suicide

WARNING: This story contains references to suicide and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

A study led by UBC psychiatry professor Dr. Sophia Frangou, published on Mar. 12, 2020, found that children with psychological problems, children exposed to family conflict and children who spend more time using digital devices were more likely to report suicidal thoughts. (PxHere)