Summary#
The bill would require several Nova Scotia government departments and offices to create and fund a province-wide Suicide Prevention Strategy. The strategy would be developed with experts, service providers, community members, youth, first responders, and people with lived experience. It would set measurable goals and require an annual report to the House of Assembly.
- The participating government bodies must work together on the strategy.
- A committee must provide advice on mental health, health and social services, education, regional supports, research, and funding.
- The strategy must include additional suicide prevention plans for Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities.
- The strategy must include targets, goals, and timelines.
- The Minister of Addictions and Mental Health must report each year on progress.
- Funding would come from money approved by the Legislature.
What it means for you#
- People seeking help: The bill could lead to changes in suicide prevention services, mental health supports, education, and community programs. The bill does not specify which services would be added or changed.
- Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities: The strategy must include additional suicide prevention strategies for these communities.
- Youth: Youth must be represented on the committee that helps develop the strategy.
- People with lived experience: People who have attempted suicide or experienced suicidal thoughts must be represented on the committee.
- Health and community service providers: Providers may be asked to take part in the committee or ongoing community engagement.
- Government departments: Several departments and offices would have to coordinate their work and help develop the strategy.
- The public: The minister would have to report annually on progress. The bill does not say how detailed or public the report must be beyond being presented to the House of Assembly.
Expenses#
The bill requires funding for the strategy, but it does not give a dollar estimate.
- Government spending: Money would be paid from funding approved by the Legislature.
- Administrative costs: The government may face costs for staffing, research, public engagement, committee work, reporting, and coordinating departments.
- Program costs: Future suicide prevention services or programs could require additional funding.
- Costs to individuals or businesses: The bill does not create fees, fines, or direct payments by individuals or businesses.
- What is unclear: No publicly available information.
Proponents' View#
- The bill appears intended to create a coordinated, province-wide approach to suicide prevention instead of leaving efforts separated among government departments and community services.
- A possible benefit is that the strategy would include people with professional knowledge and people with direct lived experience.
- The required targets and timelines could make it easier to measure whether suicide prevention efforts are making progress.
- The separate focus on Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities could help address differences in needs and access to services.
- Annual reporting could improve public and legislative oversight of the strategy.
Opponents' View#
- One concern is that the bill does not identify a specific funding amount. The strategy could therefore depend on future decisions by the Legislature.
- The bill does not require the government to adopt the committee’s recommendations.
- It is unclear what services, programs, or supports must be created, expanded, or maintained.
- The bill does not specify how success will be measured beyond requiring targets and goals. It also does not explain what action must follow if targets are missed.
- Coordinating several departments and maintaining ongoing community engagement may create administrative costs and delays.
- The bill does not clearly explain how people in rural or remote areas would receive additional support.