B.C. coroners report says youth suicide prevention needs co-ordinated action

BURNABY, B.C. – A report from British Columbia’s coroners office recommends doing more to stop young people from committing suicide and doing a better job compiling evidence after their deaths, including asking about sexual orientation, social media and bullying.

The review examined the stories of 91 children and youth who died between 2008 and 2012 and concluded that there wasn’t one solution to try to stop young people from killing themselves.

But BC Coroners Service child death unit director Michael Egilson says social and health workers need to interact directly with children and youth at risk for suicide.

The coroners service recommends giving more access to mental health services to children, and connecting community mental health services to hospitals.

The report suggests school districts develop risk assessments that would help in early intervention, which could include sharing information between agencies, and following up with young people and their families.

Opposition New Democrat children’s critic Carole James says she wants to see co-ordinated action from the government rather that hearing the Children and Family Development Minister saying she will review the report.