Workplace is key in preventing suicide?
Posted Mar 7, 2012 1:13 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Suicide has surpassed murder and traffic collisions as the leading cause of violent death in the world.
A leading expert in suicide prevention says the answer is in the workplace.
The keynote speaker at a symposium in Calgary told the audience Wednesday that a national framework to address the issue should fall to the federal ministry of labour.
Bill Wilkerson is an advocate for mental health in the workplace.
He says Health Canada has shown no sense or desire for leadership when it comes to preventing suicide. Now, he’s taking his fight to Labour Minister Lisa Raitt.
“I think that the Minister of Labour has the resources to look at training, standards and workplace-based initiatives, which allow not only to reach people at work, but their families,” says Wilkerson.
Wilkerson applauds a private member’s bill, which recently had second reading in Parliament.
He says it also calls for a national framework, but is too vague in nature and the time for action is now.
