Roots of Hope: A uniquely Canadian approach to suicide prevention

Abstract

Suicide is a significant public health issue in Canada, with rural areas and young people experiencing a higher incidence of suicides. To address this issue, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) developed Roots of Hope, a community-led suicide prevention model with five pillars and 13 guiding principles. The model is flexible and tailored to meet specific community needs, and an initial research demonstration project has shown promising results. The ongoing implementation of Roots of Hope has the potential to significantly impact suicide prevention efforts throughout Canada. The model aligns with the MHCC’s mission of empowering communities to develop and implement their own solutions and exchange best practices. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgency of suicide prevention and the need for resources specifically designed to meet community needs. The positive outcomes of Roots of Hope offer the potential to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Canadians.

Keywords

• mental health
• community-based
• community led
• evidence-based
• multi-sectoral
• life promotion