Study Information
CAMH is part of a cross-national study to learn more about the experiences of Canadians with suicidal ideation and behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of all Canadians, and has been associated with worsening mental health and substance use, poorer access to health care, trauma and grief, financial stress, and social isolation. These tragic consequences are also risk factors for suicide. This study, the first of its kind, explores the stories of Canadians who have had or are having suicide-related thoughts and behaviours during the pandemic through in-depth interviews. By hearing their voices and bearing witness to their stories, we can better understand how the pandemic has affected mental health and well-being, what factors can promote healing and recovery.
We are looking for participants who:
- reside in British Columbia, Manitoba or Nova Scotia
- are aged 18 and over (in Manitoba) OR are aged 19 and over (in British Columbia or Nova Scotia)
- have experienced suicide-related thoughts and/or behaviours anytime between September 2019 and present
People who take part in the study will fill out an initial screening survey that will help the researchers choose a variety of people with different experiences to invite to participate in a 30 to 90 minute interview that can be done by phone or videoconference.
The interview will have questions about your experiences with suicide-related thoughts and/or behaviours before and after the COVID-19 pandemic started, factors that contributed positively or negatively to your well-being, experiences with any care you received, factors which supported your safety and recovery, and your thoughts are on how care could be improved.
The researchers are seeking to interview a wide range of participants with different life experiences, to understand how they may affect a person's experiences of suicidal thoughts and behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will be chosen to represent a wide range of different ages, gender identities, ethnicities, geographical situations, economic circumstances, housing situations, employment, and other factors. Depending on when you complete the screening survey and the participants already in the study, some life experiences might already be well represented and you may not be chosen for an interview, even if you are eligible to participate.
There is no compensation for filling out the screening survey. However, participants will receive compensation for their time if they are selected to be interviewed for the study.