Upstream Protective Factors for Suicide 

Today's Solutions for Canby's Tomorrow

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It is important to note that protective factors are not simply the absence of risk factors (Cha&Nock, 2008) nor are they simply the opposite of risk factors (Gutierrez & Osman, 2008).

 

What we want to see in our ourselves and our neighbors in Canby is suicide resilience which is defined as ‘‘the perceived ability, resources, or competence to regulate suicide-related thoughts, feelings, and attitudes’’(Osman et al., 2004, p. 1351). 

 

Protective factors then are personal or environmental characteristics that help strengthen a person’s suicide resilience.

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Protective Factors for strengthening suicide resilience include:

• Connectedness to individuals, family, community, and social institutions

• Life skills including:

  • Problem solving skills

  • Conflict management and resolution

  • Stress management

  • Change management

  • Handling problems in a non-violent way

  • Emotional coping skills

• Purpose or meaning in life

• Dignity and self-esteem at normal levels

• Mental health care is accessible and effective

• Beliefs in Cultural, religious, or personal ways that discourage suicide

• Restricted access to lethal means

 

https://www.sprc.org/about-suicide/risk-protective-factors

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Recommendations for Canby:

• Events: Promote events which encourage conversation, relationship building, friendship, community service

  •  Use Scholarships to provide access to events for all, especially the economically challenged.

• Service: Encourage participation is clubs, sport teams, music, theater etc.

  • Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Lions…

  • Canby Kids, Football, soccer, tennis, running, swim club, dance…

  • Church service or social activities

• Family: Promote city venues and activities which are conducive to family and group gatherings particularly in the winter months.

• Life Skills Education: Offer classes which address…

  • Problem solving skills in a non-violent way

  • Conflict management and resolution

  • Change management

  • Stress management

  • Emotional coping skills

• Purpose: Promote programs which strengthen personal dignity and purpose.

  • Use Scholarships to provide access to programs for all, especially the economically challenged.

  • Young Life

  • Canby Adult Center

  • Thriving Together program @ The Canby Center

  • Bridging Cultures

  • Sports, Canby Kids

  • Young Citizens City Council

  • Youth Groups and church services

• Mental Health Care:

  • Offer Mental health services and support

  • Identify populations that lack access to mental health services

  • Reduce financial and transportation barriers to seeking support

  • Partner with Providence, Legacy, etc.

  • Identify local resources and produce a pamphlet for Canby

• Messaging: Identify messages which discourage suicide by connecting with personal, cultural, and religious beliefs.

  • Partner with local churches, clubs, etc to have an awareness week.

  • Use messaging that is positive in nature and point to the benefits of life

• Means: Restrict access to lethal means

  • Research and create a community program for the reduction of lethal means.

  • Create a public awareness campaign for the safe storage of guns.

  • Raise awareness about the drug drop at the Police station.

  • Train first responders in lethal means counselling.

  • Distribute free or low-cost gun locks at Canby Gun Shows.

  • Ensure that all railroad crossings have permanent signage and equipment to discourage casual crossing