HPA News

"Family physicians play a pivotal role in preventing suicides in Canada. As gatekeepers, they are often best positioned to identify those who may be at risk for suicide and able to provide or link those at risk with the care they so desperately need. We also know that those who die by suicide frequently had contact with a health care provider in the weeks and months prior to their death. In adults ages 55 or older, up to 70% visited a primary care provider within a month of their death.

This Self-Learning program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 2.0 Mainpro+ Credit(s).

Yvonne Bergmans, PhD, MSW, RSW
Glenn Pearce, MD
Sol Stern, MD, MCFP
John Axler, MD, CCFP, FCFP

Upon completion of this program, participants will be better able to:

• Evaluate a patient’s level of risk for suicide and determine how best to intervene.
• Describe the prevalence of suicide and identify which groups are at high-risk for suicide in Canada.
• Discuss suicide risk factors and protective factors with patients.
• Use appropriate tools and resources to identify the risk of suicide among patients and recommend follow-up support.
• Create a safety plan that can empower patients when they are in need of help or in the midst of a crisis."