BILL NO. 331

(c) "Strategy" means the Suicide Prevention Strategy developed under Section 3.

3 (1) Subject to Section 5, an interdepartmental group consisting of

(a) the Office of Addictions and Mental Health;

(b) the Department of Advanced Education;

(c) African Nova Scotian Affairs;

(d) the Department of Community Services;

(e) the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development;

(f) the Department of Health and Wellness; and

(g) the Office of L'nu Affairs,

shall develop and fund a Suicide Prevention Strategy.

(2) The Strategy must be developed through an ongoing and representative expert and community engagement structure, which must include the formation of a committee with representation from

(a) mental health experts and advocates;

(b) health care and community service providers;

(c) first responders;

(d) people with lived experience of suicide attempts or suicide ideation;

(e) youth;

(f) community members and leaders; and

(g) any other people or groups that the interdepartmental group deems relevant.

(3) The committee may make recommendations to the interdepartmental group respecting

(a) mental health services and supports;

(b) general social, health and economic services and supports;

(c) suicide prevention services, education and programming;

(d) regional supports;

(e) research and funding; and

(f) any other matter the committee deems relevant.

(4) The Strategy must provide for and outline additional suicide prevention strategies to be developed for Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities.

(5) The Strategy must set measurable targets and goals, including timelines for achieving those targets and goals.

(6) The committee may set targets and goals relating to the reduction of suicide rates.

4 The Minister of Addictions and Mental Health shall report annually to the House of Assembly on progress being made under the Strategy.

5 The money required for the purpose of this Act must be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.

 

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