Advocacy

Advocate for Suicide Prevention

For the last 35 years, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) has been an advocate for suicide prevention, envisioning a Canada without suicide. Since 1985, the organization has worked towards the achievement of its mission by advocating, communicating, and educating for suicide prevention, intervention, postvention and life promotion in Canada.

A few examples of our advocacy work includes:

• CASP published The Blueprint, a National Suicide Prevention Strategy. This document has been used across Canada to establish provincial suicide prevention frameworks as well as the federal framework. It has received international recognition by other countries such as the U.S.A, U.K., Australia, New Zealand and many other European and Asian countries.
• CASP was involved with encouraging greater federal initiatives, and in May 2019, the House of Commons unanimously adopted MP Charlie Angus’s private members’ motion, M-174, to establish a National Action Plan for suicide prevention.
• We continue to advocate for life promotion, by voicing our concerns with the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) legislation, ensuring proper safeguards are in place to protect the most vulnerable.
• Calling on the Government of Canada to ensure the basic human rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people are met in the wake of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings.
• Advocating for safe media reporting on suicide, ensuring related stories are written responsibly and safely.
• Advocating for a 3-digit, national suicide prevention hotline. 

To learn more, refer to our Press Releases and Statements.