Grant: Project Grant

Every year, 4,500 people in Canada die by suicide. While research shows that countries with national suicide prevention strategies have better outcomes, Canada remains the only G7 nation without one. We now rely on fragmented regional efforts that vary widely in goals, policies, and resources. This inconsistency, compounded by limited data transparency and a lack of standard measurement, makes it difficult to determine which programs are saving lives and where people are falling through the cracks. This mixed-methods study will create the first national "map" of suicide prevention efforts across 13 provinces and territories. We will combine expert consensus-building with direct conversations involving those most affected (e.g., Indigenous communities), people with lived experience, community leaders, service providers, and policymakers. Together, we will build a Mapping and Evaluation Framework. This will include practical tools showing where improvements are needed, implementation strategies, indicators for routine monitoring, and templates for consistent tracking. This research will improve health at multiple levels. For the health system, it will transform fragmented data into clear, usable information. Instead of just counting deaths after they happen, this framework will help track the active mechanisms that save lives, seeing exactly where resources are effective, and where immediate improvements are needed. For population health, we will identify which programs are most helpful, allowing us to scale successful models and reduce suicide rates over time. For individuals, it will reveal critical gaps in accessing life-saving care, informing improvements in service availability and cultural appropriateness. Ultimately, this project provides the foundation for a robust national strategy that reflects diverse needs and works toward protecting the lives of all Canadians.