National Strategy Objectives
Canada needs a suicide prevention strategy that turns commitment into coordinated, measurable action. A national strategy should establish clear priorities, strengthen prevention efforts, improve access to support, and ensure that every person in Canada can benefit from a stronger and more connected system of care.
The Hope Can’t Wait Campaign is calling for a long-term national approach built on measurable progress, accountability, sustainable investment, and collaboration. Together, these objectives provide a roadmap for reducing suicide and suicide-related harm and creating lasting change across Canada.
Measurable Reduction Targets
Canada needs clear, measurable goals for reducing suicide and suicide-related harm.
Setting specific targets allows us to track progress over time, identify where gaps remain, and understand whether prevention efforts are making a meaningful difference. Progress should be regularly measured and publicly reported so Canadians can see the impact of action.
Dedicated Long-Term Funding
Suicide prevention cannot depend on short-term funding or temporary programs. Long-term, dedicated investment is needed to support prevention initiatives, services, research, education, data collection, and community-based programs.
Stable funding allows effective programs to grow, communities to plan ahead, and support systems to remain available when people need them.
Clear Accountability Mechanisms
A national commitment to suicide prevention must come with clear responsibility and accountability. Governments and organizations should know what they are responsible for, what outcomes they are expected to achieve, and how progress will be evaluated.
Transparent reporting can help ensure that commitments lead to meaningful, sustained action.
National Standards of Care
Every person in Canada should have access to safe, compassionate, and evidence-informed suicide prevention and intervention services, regardless of where they live.
National standards of care can help establish consistent expectations for quality, accessibility, and continuity of support while allowing services to respond to the unique needs of different communities.
Stronger Cross-Jurisdiction Coordination
Suicide prevention requires governments, healthcare systems, communities, researchers, and organizations to work together.
Stronger coordination across federal, provincial, territorial, and local jurisdictions can help reduce gaps between services, share effective approaches, improve data and information sharing, and create a more connected system of support across Canada.
Sustained Whole-of-Government Approach
Suicide prevention must be treated as a long-term national priority, not an issue addressed by one department or during times of crisis.
A whole-of-government approach brings together health, education, social services, housing, Indigenous services, justice, and other areas of government to address the many factors that influence well-being and suicide risk. Sustained leadership and collaboration are essential to creating lasting change.
Better Data and Reporting
We need reliable information to understand where gaps exist and where action can make the greatest difference.
A national approach to suicide prevention should improve the collection, sharing, and reporting of data so governments, researchers, healthcare providers, and communities can make informed decisions and measure progress over time.
Early Intervention and Supports
Prevention begins before a person reaches a crisis point. Investing in mental well-being, early intervention, education, and community-based supports can help people access assistance sooner and strengthen the protective factors that support mental health and resilience.