Canadian Research and Knowledge Translation Agenda on Suicide

Prescribe mental health: Impact of MD issued prescriptions for active living to rewire the brain for better mental health

What is the social-epigenetics of suicide risk as a co-occurring condition of FASD, and what is the intergenerational co-occurring risk?

Individuals diagnosed with FASD are at a greater risk for suicide, yet little is known about the social-epigenetics of this co-occurring cluster. As well, little is known about the intergenerational underpinning of this risk, including the unfortunate suicide risk potential of a mother who gives birth to a child who is diagnosed with FASD. Further, It is equally important to develop proactive prevention and intervention programs that focus on this co-occurring cluster, child and mother, FASD and suicide. This research would build on Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action and a recently developed social- biobanking initiative called Translating to the Community: A social epigenetic study of FASD. This University-Indigenous Community-FASD Clinic Social Biobank is seeking to develop an earlier diagnosis of FASD and its associated conditions and behaviours and to refine and develop programs that improve the quality of life for children, youth, adults, families and communities impacted by this life-long condition and social-biological-health cluster.

Why is the number of male suicides roughly 3 times higher than that of females in most age categories?

Gendering suicide

What factor has the greatest protective effect on risk of suicide?

There are several factors that can be protective, but is there one that is more effective than others? It would give us an idea of where to start when fostering resilience toward suicide.

What medical condition(s) are you experiencing i.e. anxiety, depression, eating disorder, etc.?

It is so important to have data to support the allocation of resources -i.e. more professionals to be trained, treatment modalities

One page, easy to read summary of research findings and impact on practice and/or behaviour

Traditional means of communication are great if you know how to access them and have the time to do so. Front-line practitioners and members of the public are usually lacking at least one of these requirements. Make it simple, in language that someone outside of health care can understand.

All mediums in easy to comprehend language

It's not the medium that needs to change it's the language so that all walks of life can understand, get rid of the medical language so the 90% of the population can be educated

Accessible documents that allow for various populations to access research findings and implement their suggestions

There is always a gap in time between the creation of knowledge and the implementation of that knowledge. This gap may be in part due to the difficulty of access to research findings by those outside of academic circles. Relevant research findings should not be available only to those with paid access to peer-reviewed journal articles or the ability to attend conferences. A knowledge transfer plan for suicide research findings should include free public access to information in various forms, such as online materials and print materials in accessible language. By working together to close the knowledge transfer gap, we can quicken the uptake of new, evidence-based practices, and overall improve the ability of communities at large to strengthen suicide prevention efforts.

Educational material and fact sheets

Workshops, webinars, presentations