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Project type: Coalition
Best practices: Public awareness, Research,
Specialized supports, Training and networks
Activity type: Prevention, Postvention
Population served: General public

Andrea Poncia
[email protected]
Website

    Background

    Suicide Prevention Ottawa (SPO) is a group of local leaders who, since 1989, have been working to build a community without suicide. SPO combines two previously separate initiatives, The Community Suicide Prevention Network (CSPN) and the Ottawa Suicide Prevention Coalition (OSPC).

    We use evidence to promote awareness, build capacity, and respond effectively to suicide among people of all ages, across the life span.

    SPO was made possible by the contributions of a collective of organizations, leaders and experts in Ottawa that included families and people with lived experiences, researchers, service providers, administrators and many more, committed to action in preventing, and collectively responding to suicide deaths.

    Goals and objectives

    SPO is working towards having a community without suicide by using evidence to promote awareness, build capacity, and respond effectively to suicide among people of all ages.

    Methods/activities

    Tips/learnings

    • Focus on resilience, steer away from shock and trauma.
    • It is important to nurture relationships with cross sectoral, diverse, organizational partners.
    • Involve people with living and lived experience.

    Outcome/evaluation

    • In 2017 – 2018, 67 organizations were members of the CSPN and 1138 contacts attended CSPN meetings and events.
    • In 2017 – 2018, schools engaged 558 students as peer leaders in Sources of Strength. Schools supported peer leaders to deliver 112 campaigns. Peer leaders made 38,434 contacts through their campaigns.
    • In 2015 – 2016, 6 Ottawa Carleton – district school board schools had 2SLGBTQ+ capacity building training.