Author Description

Future efforts for Alberta's intentional overdose prevention activities may include: • baseline data collection of the causes and trends of suicide deaths and suicide attempts in Alberta; • identification of drugs commonly used for suicide and suicide attempts, particularly those used by children and youth; • consideration of provincial regulation of those drugs commonly used for suicide and suici [...] Rationale for means restriction Means restriction is one of the five major types of interventions that have been regularly undertaken and investigated for suicide prevention.31 Means restriction, a key activity in a broader public health approach to reducing intentional injuries, is important and necessary to contribute to an overall effort to reduce the rates of suicide deaths and suicidal behavi [...] Means restriction is based on the belief that a small but significant number of suicidal acts are impulsive and of the moment.14 A number of suicidal behaviours result from a combination of psychological pain or despair, coupled with the availability of the means by which to inflict self injury.14 Measures to limit the availability of means are aimed mainly at reducing those suicidal acts that are [...] The person engaging in suicidal behaviour is likely to use the means most easily available.33 Making it difficult to access the means of suicide is a way of 'buying time' and giving the individual a chance to reconsider. [...] Details of goals, objectives, and actions for means restriction specified in each of the eight national suicide prevention strategy documents are presented in Appendix C. Components for means restriction, mainly derived from action areas of the strategies, are presented in terms of measures for overall means restriction as well as measures specific to certain type of means/method (Table 4).