About This Toolkit
The aim of this toolkit is to support students, schools, and professionals with evidence-based resources that promote positive mental health in youth!
The Story Behind This Toolkit
Suicide is the co-leading cause of injury-related death among youth in BC. The number of youth suicide attempts and hospitalization rates associated with self-inflicted injury rose during the COVID-19 pandemic increasing calls for public health to provide more suicide prevention resources for youth. The nature of suicide is complex, requiring universal preventative approaches that strengthen youth before a crisis emerges. Fostering skills related to social emotional learning (SEL) holds promise in being an integral part of comprehensive youth suicide prevention. The core cognitive, affective, and behavioural competencies of the SEL educational framework which include emotional regulation, self- and social-awareness, healthy relationships, and responsible decision-making offer upstream primary prevention strategies that help all youth learn about and build skills to identify and manage emotions, especially when feelings of distress become too intense. This suicide prevention toolkit aims to expand the continuum of support in schools to include a more comprehensive focus on youth social-emotional learning.
This toolkit could not have been possible without the support and collaboration of Island Health and the University of Victoria, in addition to funding from Michael Smith Health Research BC.
Team & Project Partners
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
Paweena Sukhawathanakul
Dr. Paweena Sukhawathanakul is an Assistant Professor of Lifespan Health and Development in the Department of Psychology at the University of Victoria. Her research focuses on injury prevention in children and adolescents including evaluating school-based programs that promote social and emotional development.
University of Victoria
Brianna Turner
Dr. Brianna Turner is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Victoria with expertise in mental health, particularly in the evidence-based treatments, assessment and management of suicidal behaviour.
University of Victoria
Emily Haigh
Dr. Emily Haigh is the Chief Mungo Martin Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health. She is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Victoria. Dr. Haigh’s research centers on engaging Indigenous partners and communities to develop more holistic, inclusive approaches to mental health initiatives that support Indigenous peoples’ well-being and resilience.
island health
Stacey Blouin
Stacey Blouin is the School Health Coordinator for Population & Public Health at Island Health. She supports School Health Promoters across the Island Health region in partnering with schools and school districts to address local health priorities and needs using a Comprehensive School Health approach. Stacey is also a registered dietitian and previously worked in clinical settings supporting pediatric populations and individuals of all ages with eating disorders.
island health
Neil Arason
Neil Arason is the Lead, Injury Prevention, South Island for Population & Public Health at Island Health. His work spans road safety, older adult falls, youth suicide and self-harm, water safety and drownings, and pediatric injury including from button battery chemical poisonings. Neil is also the author of the book, No Accident: Eliminating injury and death on Canadian roads – published by Wilfrid Laurier University Press; has authored numerous publications and academic studies; and has taught at SFU and UVic.
University of Victoria
Juliette Sones
Juliette Sones graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology at the University of Victoria in 2025. She is currently involved as a research assistant, counselling clinic client care coordinator, and after-school care leader. Juliette is passionate about supporting and researching social-emotional learning school-based programs.
University of Victoria
Alice Shen
Alice is a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate at the University of Victoria. Her research examines the emotional and psychological mechanisms underlying suicidal thoughts and behaviours, as well as related risky behaviours including non-suicidal self-injury, disordered eating, and substance use.
University of Victoria
Madeleine MacDonald
Madeleine is a researcher at BC Children’s Hospital. She completed her masters degree at the University of Victoria in lifespan development where she examined how young people with chronic illnesses can heal from and challenge internalized disability stigma by reconnecting with their bodies through practices such as self-care and social support.
BC Children’s Hospital
Alex Gist
Dr. Alex Gist is a Health Promotion Specialist with the BC Children’s Hospital Health Promotion and Health Literacy team. He has nearly 25 years of experience in education, spanning teaching, supporting immigrant and refugee youth, managing SEL-based programs, and helping schools strengthen mental well‑being supports for students.
Research team with Island Health’s School Health Promoters.