Hi Michele - in regard to your question about Suicide Awareness - I think part of the answer lies in your framework - are you intending the audience of the information to be professionals or public?  I seem to recall that in the mid 90's there was literature that came out of Donna Ciliska  et al. (based out of Hamilton) that suggested public education was not recommended in regard to suicide prevention as often there would actually be an increase in suicide attempts/rates after either education or of course after media attention.  I am not sure whether this recommendation still holds true or not. I am not a mental health specialist. I actually was involved in class room education at a grade 9 level to in the mid 90's in Sarnia.  There was a community partnership there who recognized suicide as a public health concern and during mental health week this was their focus.  I recall that an argument against this type of public education was made against me being involved because of the aforementioned literature.
I too am concerned about suicide prevention in general, but specifically in terms of women with postpartum depression - I am currently doing research into how women cope with postpartum depression.
I will look forward to other responses I see on Click4HP.

Julia Dearing-Vollett
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date:    Wed, 12 Mar 2003 10:45:43 -0500
> From:    "Singleton, Michele" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Community based suicide awareness raising programs
>
> Hi there.  In public health in Ontario our revised (but still draft)
> Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines call for action in the
> area of suicide awareness.  Specifically,  increasing public awareness that
> suicide is preventable and a major health concern; increasing awareness of
> the risk ractors and the protective factors for suicide and improving the
> timely identification of persons at risk for sicide.  It would seem obvious
> that this needs to be bigger than just public health and needs to include
> community partnerships.
> I am wondering if any one has done any work in this area and has come across
> or (better still) implemented programming that would address these
> objectives/goals.  I would appreciate your thoughts/wisdom.  Thank you.
> Michele
> Michèle S. Singleton
> Manager, Mental Health Liaison and Special Projects
> Halton Region Health Department
> 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville
> email: [log in to unmask]
> voice: 1-866-442-5866 ext 7864
>

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