New research to support suicide prevention

Clinical psychologist Dr. Marnin Heisel will be working to prevent suicides among vulnerable populations thanks to two separate grants worth a total of $1.2 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Movember Foundation. Heisel is focusing his work on two populations whose mental health may have been impacted by the pandemic: residents living in long-term care homes, and middle-aged and older male veterans and first responders. Heisel and his colleagues at Western and from across North America will work to enhance detection and response to suicide risk among older adults living in long-term care, and to test the effectiveness of a Meaning-Centered Men's Group intervention designed to prevent the onset or worsening of suicide risk in veterans and first responders facing career transition. Higher risk Heisel says despite increased attention to workplace mental health in military and public safety sectors, these occupations carry elevated suicide risk. Tendencies toward efficient and effective job performance, selflessness in serving others and in following orders, are likely to discourage expressions of vulnerability. "Those struggling with workplace, family or other stressors, who don't receive help, and who additionally find themselves facing challenges to their identity associated with leaving their career could be at elevated risk," said Heisel, associate professor at Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. With the aim of aiding male veterans and first responders during transitional periods in their life, Heisel and his team will evaluate the effectiveness of meaning-centered groups as a way to promote resiliency and psychological well-being as they transition from service to release or retirement.