The BC Coroners Service has released a new report urging immediate action to prevent suicide among young people in British Columbia.
The report, Creating Connection, Supporting Strengths, comes from a death-review panel that examined 435 suicide deaths among youth and young adults between January 2019 and December 2023. Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death for children and youth in B.C., and the third for adults aged 19 to 29.
The panel made five recommendations aimed at strengthening mental health support systems and saving lives. These include developing a provincial suicide-risk-reduction strategy focused on youth, improving data sharing across communities, reviewing mental health resources in schools to ensure they reflect student diversity, and ensuring frontline health professionals are properly trained to assess and support at-risk youth. The panel also recommends creating more “third spaces”—community venues where young people can build healthy social connections.
The report was developed in consultation with experts in youth mental health, public health, education, Indigenous health, and other sectors.
Chief Coroner Dr. Jatinder Baidwan emphasized that deaths by suicide are preventable, and that everyone has a role to play in ensuring young people receive timely, effective support.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433). Help is available 24/7.
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