Action Plan vs. National Strategy
Canada needs to take the next step to reduce suicide.
Canada released its first National Suicide Prevention Action Plan in May 2024. It’s a three-year plan (2024–2027) that brings federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners together, and it’s real progress.
A national strategy builds on what works.
The Hope Can’t Wait Coalition is calling for the next step: a comprehensive national strategy with national priorities, measurable reduction targets, dedicated long-term funding and clear accountability.
A Closer Look
Progress has been made with the National Action Plan, but it's not enough. The Action Plan lacks clear accountability, measurable targets, cross-sector coordination, and adequate funding.
Action Plan
3 years (2024-2027)
Measurable targets are missing
No dedicated long-term funding
Lack of data collection and cross-jurisdictional support
Clear accountability is low or missing
National Strategy
Long-term efforts for suicide prevention
Measurable reduction targets
Dedicated, long-term funding
Clear accountability and resources
Research points to strategies reducing suicide, and other countries have the evidence.
When a national strategy is properly resourced and put into practice, the evidence indicates that suicide goes down. Canada is the only G7 country without one, and only second to Saudi Arabia in the G20 without one.
A national strategy gives Canada one clear direction with measurable targets, long-term funding, clear accountability, better data, and cross-jurisdictional support.
What should be included?
Learn more about what we are calling for to be included in a national startegy.
History in Canada
Learn more about suicide prevention work in Canada and how we got to where we are now.
Research and Data
Learn more about the research and data done on national suicide prevention strategies.
The CASP Blueprint
Learn more about the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention blueprint.
HOPE CAN'T WAIT
A national movement for a comprehensive Canadian Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Need Support?
If you or someone you know is in crisis in Canada, call or text 988. If there is immediate danger, call 911. Visit hopecantwait.ca/support-lines for more resources.
Hope Can't Wait is a project of the Office of Joshua Bell, a federally registered non-profit focused on mental health education and storytelling.
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