A death-review panel convened by the BC Coroners Service has issued a report that includes recommendations to reduce deaths by suicide and better support young people in British Columbia.

“This report contains realistic, actionable recommendations that, when implemented, will improve life for all young British Columbians,” said Ryan Panton, chair of the death-review panel. “We know that losing a young life to suicide is devastating for friends, families and communities, and these actions will help reduce the risk, while supporting better mental-health outcomes.”

The report, Creating Connection, Supporting Strengths: A Review of Youth and Young Adult Deaths by Suicide In British Columbia, 2019-2023, was created in consultation with subject-matter experts including front-line service providers and experts in youth mental health, injury research and prevention, education and child care, mental health, public health, Indigenous health, law enforcement and suicidology.

“I want to thank the panel for its efforts to create recommendations that will create positive change across our province,” said Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, chief coroner. “Deaths by suicide are preventable, and it is up to all of us to ensure that young people have the support they need, when they need it, to navigate the challenges of life. I am confident that this report will help ensure those supports are available and accessible to all.”

The panel reviewed the deaths of 435 young people in B.C. who died as a result of suicide between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2023. Suicide is the second most prevalent cause of death among children and youth in B.C., and the third-leading cause of death among adults aged 19-29 years.

The panel report includes five recommendations intended to prevent future deaths and improve public health and public safety for youth and young adults in B.C.:

1. Create and implement a provincial suicide-risk-reduction framework specifically focused on youth and young adults.
2. Improve data collection, information sharing and reporting processes to better understand and support diverse communities throughout B.C.
3. Review existing social and emotional health-related resources to ensure they meet the needs of the diversity of school-age students in B.C.
4. Create an educational model to ensure doctors, nurses, paramedics and other emergency medical professionals are appropriately trained in early identification, assessment, management and followup of youth and young adults who are at higher risk of death by suicide.
5. Co-develop a “third spaces” strategy to create venues for young people to develop and maintain connections in their own communities.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide, call 1 800 SUICIDE (784-2433).

Learn More:

Read the full death-review panel report: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/birth-adoption-death-marriage-and-divorce/deaths/coroners-service/death-review-panel/creating_connection_supporting_strengths.pdf

To learn more about death-review panels, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts

BC Coroners Service: http://www.gov.bc.ca/coroners/