People experiencing mental-health challenges, particularly thoughts of suicide and self-harm, will benefit from improved quality of care in mental-health and substance-use treatment settings, such as emergency departments.
The Province is investing $2 million to support an initiative that will create provincewide standards and training to improve care in the health-care system for people who may be suicidal.
“When people are in a mental-health crisis, we want them to receive the best possible care,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “That’s why our government is making system-wide improvements to transform care for those experiencing mental-health crises and suicidal thoughts. We’re supporting health-care professionals so that they have the tools they need to provide the best possible care for people and reduce suicide deaths.”
The initiative will develop a provincial framework for suicide care based on established international best practices, local clinical knowledge and expertise, as well as the perspectives of people with lived experience. This will ensure care settings throughout British Columbia will have access to care-provider training, standardized intake screening, management strategies and followup care aimed at reducing suicide deaths. The changes will bring quality improvement to care settings in all health authorities.
“This significant investment demonstrates a commitment to improving quality in care for people in crisis,” said Jonathan Morris, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division (CMHA BC). “Health-care settings like the emergency department offer important opportunities to prevent suicide. CMHA BC is looking forward to continuing our ongoing partnership alongside people with lived experience, health authorities and the Province to transform crisis care for the better.”
Each regional health authority will also receive funding to support evidence-based suicide prevention strategies that address unique priorities and gaps in care for people who may be suicidal.
Enhancing mental-health supports is an integral part of A Pathway to Hope, B.C.’s roadmap for building a comprehensive system of mental-health and addictions care for British Columbians.
