Project Overview

In 2020, The Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division (CMHA BC), in partnership with BC’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (MMHA), invited proposals from publicly-funded post-secondary institutions in BC to engage in campus suicide prevention initiatives. The intent of this project was to assist post-secondary institutions in developing and implementing new or expanded campus suicide prevention frameworks and supporting rollout through the Healthy Minds| Healthy Campuses (HM|HC) community-of-practice network. HM|HC provided on-demand technical assistance to support these initiatives throughout the duration of the grant project.

Each institution was invited to submit one proposal on behalf of their school (including multiple campuses) that described how they would utilize the funding to support existing or new suicide prevention initiatives. Proposals needed to be collaborative in nature and consider a whole campus approach when discussing suicide prevention. Student and cross-departmental input was vital in the application process and throughout the funding term. 

 

Annual Report

In BC March 2021, campuses completed and submitted their interim reports which highlighted their project goal progress and student engagement analysis including aspects relating to Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) principles and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) engagement within the CSP Initiative. Based on the 25 campuses interim reports, HM|HC Support Team noticed some common themes and trends that are included in the annual report. To read the complete annual report, please click here.

 

Final Report

In February 2022, campuses submitted their final reports which further highlighted their project goals, outcomes and impacts; described their key activities and engagement strategies, resources, workshops and events, and groups or participants who benefited from the initiative; and elaborated on their experiences, opportunities/strengths and challenges/complications from the pandemic. HM|HC Support Team reviewed all final reports in March-April and submitted a final report to MMHA in June, 2022. To read the complete report, please click here.

 

Evaluation Report 

In the summer of 2023, Dr. Corey McAuliffe released an evaluation report on the implementation and early impacts of the CSP initiative. It identified where further support is needed and provided recommendations around sustainable improvements to post-secondary suicide prevention infrastructure. The evaluation is specifically aimed at helping CMHA BC improve how it supports BC PSIs to achieve their mental health and well-being objectives and goals. To read the full report please click here.

 

Videos on Suicide Prevention

The following five videos/PSAs (Public Service Announcements) are intended to promote: a) awareness of mental health and substance use challenges and b) help-seeking behaviours.

These resources, two four-minute stories and three half-minute clips, depict a post-secondary student grappling with suicidal ideation as friends and others in their life reach out to offer support. The videos were developed to encourage students to reach out if they are struggling, as well as provide evidence-based approaches for those supporting someone facing these challenges.

The two longer videos are intended for use in workshops and presentations, ideally where there can be some discussion or debrief of the content. The shorter clips are intended for use social media or as PSAs (public service announcements). Please refer to the User Notes for additional information on how to use the videos.

The video series is a joint project between Capilano University, Douglas College, Justice Institute of BC, Langara College, North Island College, Northern Lights College, Okanagan College, Royal Roads University, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Community College, Simon Fraser University and University of the Fraser Valley.

The project was funded by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (MMHA)​ in partnership with CMHA BC, through the B.C. Campus Suicide Prevention Grant awarded to various colleges and universities in 2021 with support from HM|HC.

PSA 1: You help others. Let them help you when you need it most.

 

PSA 1 Cutdown

 

PSA 2: You don’t need to be an expert to help

 

PSA 2 Cutdown

 

PSA 3: We’re here for you

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