RNAO marks World Suicide Prevention Day with launch of second edition of suicide prevention guideline

TORONTO, Sept. 3, 2026 /CNW/ -- As communities across the country mark World Suicide Prevention Day, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) will host an information session on suicidal ideation and behaviour on Sept. 10. This webinar will spotlight the recently released second edition of RNAO's seminal best practice guideline (BPG), Assessment and Care of People 10 Years of Age and Older at Risk for Suicidal Ideation and/or Behaviour.  

The guideline provides clear, evidence-informed guidance to help health and social service providers identify, assess and care for people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours or are at risk of suicide. It addresses critical gaps that can impact safety and outcomes. The new edition's scope has also expanded to include adolescents over the age of 10.

"Suicide is a major public health issue, with more than 4,750 deaths annually and increasing rates in some regions in Canada," says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun, founder and visionary of the BPG program. "This guideline promotes trauma- and violence-informed, culturally safe and people-centred care, helping to reduce stigma, improve trust in services and ultimately enhance health outcomes across diverse populations."

The guideline outlines practice statements and recommendations related to:

• therapeutic relationships with people at risk of suicide or experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours
• universal suicide screening for people accessing health and social services using a validated tool
• collaborative safety planning
• follow-up contact after using health services for people at risk of suicide
• education and training for health and social service providers and students on the prevention, assessment, treatment and postvention of suicidal ideation and/or behaviour

The guideline also recognizes people with lived and living experience of suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours, and their chosen families, as experts in their own health and decision-making. As collaborators with the interprofessional team, they play an essential role in achieving improved health outcomes.  

The BPG is intended for nurses, other members of the interprofessional team in direct care positions, educators, administrators, executives, policymakers and researchers working in health and social service organizations and academic institutions. People with lived and living experiences are also encouraged to become familiar with the guideline to support their involvement in evidence-based decisions related to their care.  

The expert panel responsible for developing the guideline included 17 members with expertise in clinical practice, education, research and policy, as well as individuals with personal experience of suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours.

The panel was co-chaired by Dr. Brianna Turner, psychologist and associate professor at the University of Victoria and Dr. Guy Weissinger, nurse scientist and assistant professor at the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University.

"Suicide is preventable, but for nurses and other health practitioners, knowing what to say and how to say it when caring for someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts can be a source of considerable confusion and anxiety," says Turner. "By providing concrete guidance on key elements of best practice, this BPG meaningfully contributes to enhancing our ability to provide safe and effective care for people at risk of suicide. Ultimately, these practices can build hope and resilience among those affected by suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours."

Weissinger adds that this BPG supports nurses and other health-care providers in delivering evidence-based care in suicide prevention.

"By bringing together the latest scientific literature with the perspectives of clinical experts and people with first-hand experience, this BPG informs providers and systems on how to improve services for people at risk of suicide while acknowledging the importance of people-centred care and attention to the needs of the community."

To support implementation of the guideline, RNAO will host a webinar from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 10^. where participants will learn about:

• the purpose, scope and key recommendations areas addressed in this guideline
• the guideline development process, including how the guideline was developed by an expert panel of interprofessional practitioners, researchers, policymakers and people with lived and living experience
• next steps for implementing and evaluating this BPG in practice settings

To learn more and register, visit the event page.

The second edition replaces RNAO's Assessment and Care of Adults at Risk for Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour BPG.

Download the guideline for free on RNAO's website.

RNAO's Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) Program is funded by Ontario's Ministry of Health. It was envisioned by CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun in 1998 and launched in 1999 to provide the best available evidence for people's care across all health sectors and settings, with more than 50 guidelines developed to date, available free of charge. The Best Practice Spotlight Organization® (BPSO®) program is a robust knowledge mobilization movement that supports service and academic institutions to formally implement multiple RNAO BPGs over a three-year period and evaluate their impact on people, organizations and health systems. Launched in 2003, the BPSO program now has more than 1,500 BPSOs in Ontario, Canada and internationally.

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit RNAO.ca or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, help is available. Call or text 9-8-8, Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

For more information, please contact: Victoria Alarcon, Communications Officer/Writer, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO)1-800-268-7199 ext. 211, 416-408-5610, [email protected]; Marion Zych, Director of Communications, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), 1-800-268-7199 ext. 209, 416-408-5605, 647-406-5605 (cell), [email protected]