Suicide Among Aboriginal People in Canada - Institut universitaire ...

Chapter 62) The response to the crisis should involve all concerned sectors of the community: i) a coordinatingcommittee of concerned individuals from school, church, health care, government, law enforcement,helpers, etc.; and ii) a host agency that should coordinate meetings, planning, and actual response intime of crisis.3) Relevant community resources should be identified including hospital, emergency medical services,school, clergy, parents’ groups, suicide hotline, students, police, media, and representatives fromagencies not on the coordinating committee.4) The response should be implemented when a suicide cluster occurs or when one or more deaths fromtrauma are identified that may impact on the adolescents.5) The first step in crisis response is to contact and prepare all groups involved.6) Avoid glorifying suicide victims and minimize sensationalism.7) High-risk persons should be identified and have at least one screening interview with a trainedcounsellor, and then be referred for further counselling as needed.8) Timely flow of accurate, appropriate information should be provided to the media.9) Elements of the environment that might increase the likelihood of further suicide attempts shouldbe identified and changed.10) Long-term issues suggested by the nature of the suicide cluster should be addressed.Both national and local media have a responsibility to take great care with their coverage of suicide issuesby adhering to codes of conduct (Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1995). Guidelines for mediareporting of suicide are readily available (e.g. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2001; YouthSuicide Prevention Program, n.d.). Suicidal behaviour must not be dramatized or romanticized, anddetails on methods should not be provided. A news report should always be accompanied by informationabout available suicide prevention resources and other means of coping with distress (Royal Commissionon Aboriginal Peoples, 1995). This can be presented in the form of comments by persons who werepreviously suicidal but sought help or by caregivers who can offer assistance (Commonwealth Departmentof Health and Family Services, 1997). The media can contribute to suicide prevention by presentingpositive images of Aboriginal culture and examples of successful coping and community development.EvaluationAn evaluation strategy should be developed from the start in parallel with program development. Ifnecessary, this can be done in partnership with academic researchers who have the requisite expertise.Two handbooks on evaluation for First Nations and Inuit communities are recommended for detailedinformation (see Health and Welfare Canada, 1991; Holt, 1993).The overall prevention strategy and its major elements should be systematically evaluated in terms offour broad issues:109